Memorie of the Somervilles; being a history of the baronial house of Somerville

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MEMORIE

OF

Cije ^omertjilles ;

BEING

A HISTORY

OS THE

BARONIAL HOUSE OF SOMERVILLE.

BY

JAMES,

ELEVENTH LORD SOMERVILLE.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

EDINBURGH:

Printed by James Ballantyne and Co.

FOR ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND COMPANY, EDINBURGH ;

AND LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,

LONDON.

1815.

DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING ENGRAVINGS.
VOL. I,

Frontispiece.
The Right Honourable John Lord Somerville, Lord of
the Bed-chamber to his Majesty King George III., Colonel of
the West Somerset Regiment of Yeomen Cavalry, President
of the Board of Agriculture, &c. &c. &c.

Page 45.
Rude sculpture over the porch or entrance of the Kirk of
Linton, illustrative of the event which gave rise to the crest
borne by the family of Somerville.

Page 47.
Linton Kirk, in the county of Roxburgh, being the parish
church belonging to the original estate held by the Somerville
family in Scotland.

Page 63.
View upon the Tweed, looking down the river towards the
Carrowell and the Noirs, two celebrated salmon casts in the
river Tweed, with the woods and farm-house of Langlee, be-

a

IV

tween the towns of Galashiels and Melrose, the property of the
Right Hon. Lord Somerville. The rock in the centre of the
river in the fore-ground was the cause of a sad loss of lives :
About 80 years ago, the ferry-boat, full of people going to
Melrose fair, broke from its moorings, and was split to pieces
on it. Twenty people were said to have been carried away by
the current and drowned ; ten saved themselves by hanging to
the mane of a horse : this powerful animal landed them all in
safety.

Page 176.
Carnwath Chapel, in the county of Lanark.

Page 361,
The ruins of the Castle of Cowthally, anciently the baronial
seat of the house of Somerville, in the shire of Lanark.

Page 409.
Ancient Monument in the old Chapel of Carnwath, being
probably that of Hugh Lord Somerville and his lady, Dame
Janet Maitland, who died in or about the year 1550.

TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

JOHN, LORD SOMERVILLE,

THIS EDITION

OF

Cfje Centime of tfje ^ometmlltf,

PUBLISHED FROM THE MS- OF HIS LORDSHIP'S ANCESTOR,
IS INSCRIBED

BY THE EDITOR,

WITH THE MOST SINCERE GOOD WISHES

FOR THE PROSPERITY OF THE HONOURABLE FAMILY TO WHOM THE

WORK REFERS ; AND MOST PARTICULARLY FOR THAT

OF THE PRESENT REPRESENTATIVE.

PREFACE

TO THE

MEMORIE OF THE SOMERVILLS.

In the following Memoirs the reader is
neither to look for accuracy of historical
fact, nor for elegance of style. The author
appears to have compiled his family his-
tory chiefly from the traditions he had re-
ceived from his ancestors, with the slender
assistance derived from the labours of Gods-
croft and Drummond of Hawthornden ; and
his style is of such prolixity as has seldom
been equalled. The more ancient part of
his narrative is particularly deficient, and
some pains have been bestowed in correct-
ing the more obvious errors, by comparing

Vlll PREFACE.

the Memoirs with other sources of evidence.
But with all these defects, and affording,
besides, many specimens of error and of
prejudice, these Memoirs have a claim up-
on the investigators of ancient manners
and ancient history. The manners of for-
mer times are at least as legitimate objects
of curiosity as the precise detail and dates
of historical events, and though a narrative
of this nature may be occasionally deficient
in point of accuracy, it seldom fails to pre-
serve much curious detail beyond the
sphere of proper history. Traits of man-
ners, and the personal anecdotes by which
they are exhibited, are indeed the natural
subjects of oral tradition, more particular-
ly when they gratify the conscious pride
of ancestry in those by whom they have
been transmitted from father to son. To
this, among some dull and heavy details,
we are indebted for much that is lively
and diverting in the present narrative.

PREFACE. IX

The anecdotes of the spits and raxes, of
the infare, or marriage-feast at Cowthally
Castle, of the scene between Lord Somer-
ville and the regent Morton, of the fatal
death of the one brother by the other's
hand, and many other passages in these
Memoirs, convey a curious and lively pic-
ture of the Scottish manners at this early
period. The style, habits of thinking, even
the prejudices of the narrator, have their
effect in adding an air of naivete and origi-
nality to his history. He has, indeed, per-
mitted himself, in the ardour of his zeal for
his own family, to make some severe remarks
upon the conduct of others, which the Editor
has sometimes thought it necessary to no-
tice, where they appeared to him founded in
misconception or animosity. But, generally
speaking, and allowing for the author's high
tory prejudices, and his irritating situation
as the representative of an ancient and ho-
nourable family, rendered incapable for the
7

X PREFACE.

time of supporting the rank to which he was
justly entitled, his opinions upon men and
events are sufficiently liberal and impartial,
and form an accurate and original speci-
men of those of an ancient Scottish baron
of the 17th century.

To such as are contented to trace, in the
history of an individual family, the effects
of the mutability of fortune, to which king-
doms and empires are equally subject, the
Memorie of the Somervills will furnish
subject of observation and reflection. The
original division of the house of Somerville
into the English and Scottish branches pro-
ved, after the lapse of many centuries, a
considerable means of restoring the for-
tunes of the family to a pitch becoming
their dignity, when, upon the death of So-
merville the poet, his English estates, the
remnants of the property acquired at the
Conquest, were vested in the thirteenth Lord
Somerville. Again, the breach between the

PREFACE. XI

baronial house of Somerville and their too
powerful cadets, the Barons of Cambusne-
then, tended at one time to separate from
the title their property in Mid-Lothian ;
and yet at length, by an extraordinary con-
tingence, threw not only that estate, but
the manor-place of Cambusnethen itself,
into the possession of the representative of
the family. And, without further tracing
particular occurrences, the whole Memoirs
present the picture of a family raised to a
high point of power and eminence, by a
succession of men of valour and patriotism,
then sinking into obscurity through ill-ad-
vised prodigality and family dissensions,
and at length again elevated to the fortune
becoming their rank by the good fortune
and prudence of an individual representa-
tive. These are events on which both the
prosperous and the unfortunate may dwell
with a wholesome sense of the vicissitudes
of human affairs, and a veneration for the

Xll PREFACE.

decrees of Providence, distinguished as
much in the incidents affecting families
and individuals, as in the revolution of
nations.

The present limited edition of the Me-
moirs of the House of Somerville is pub-
lished from the original, a closely-written
manuscript, in two folio volumes, the pro-
perty of the present noble representative
of the family. By his lordship's liberality,
the work has been adorned with engravings,
from sketches by Mr Wilson, representing
the ancient monuments and edifices alluded
to or described in the manuscript.

«8

**
J

THE
PREFACE OR INTRODUCTIONE

TO THE

MEMORIE OF THE SOMERVILLS;

BY WAY OF ANE EPISTLE TO MY SONES. ANNO 1679.

MY SONES,

It was my great happynes to be begotten and
borne of Christian parents, baptized in the Chris-
tian faith, and brought up in the protestant pro-
fessione, under the church governement of a mo-
derat episcopacie, with a due subordinatione of
presbiterie, warrantable established from the
word of God, and by the power and authoritie
of king and parliament then in being, as it is at
this present confirmed and settled by his present
majestie, King Charles the Second, whom God
ever preserve and keep safe from all his enemies,

VOL. I. a

iJ MEMORIE OF

that ther may never want a man of that name
and familie to sway the scepter of Brittaine and
Ireland, so long as sun and moon abides in the
firmament. Under whose royall predecessors and
governement, both in England and Scotland, the
sirname of the Somervills, (in the houses of
"Whichenour, Lintoune, and Cowthally, the first
in England, in the countie of Staffordshyre, the
second in Scotland, in the shirrefdome of Clids-
daill, though at first setled at Lintoune and New-
bigging, the one in the shire of Roxburgh, the
other a toune within the barronie of Carnwath
in Clidsdaill, for these sex hundereth years and
upwards,) has now continued by the mercy and
goodnes of God to this day. Albeit they have
been subject, as all human occurrences are, to
severall changes and alterationes in their condi-
tions, families, and habitationes, being trans-
mitted from one to another as ther fortunes bet-
tered or diminished in the ages wherin they li-
ved. The lineall successione, notwithstanding,
still remaineing from father to sone, or from bro-
ther to brother, in the severall generationes of
all the houses or families that represents them at
this day, as shall be made evident from the dis-
course of ther Memories, which, without com-
plementing the world, I have undertaken to sa*

THE SOMERVILLS. S

tisfie myself and my posteritie more than stran-
gers, though it were to be wished that all the
ancient and noble families in Scotland wer first
able and then willing to give as true ane account
of ther progenitors as I have done of mine; for
to speak the truth, most of them are litle be-
holden to our historians, and that because of the
ignorance of the ancient wrytters of our histo-
ries, and the malice of the moderne, who wryte
as they affected aither men or parties, as is too
evident from the nakednes and defects of the
first, and the partialitie of the later, of whom, as
to the particulars of my oune familie and name,
I have no great reasone to complean, seing both
wryte very honorably of them, as you may read
in the church and state histories of both king-
domes.

That which prevailled most with me to follow
this designe in collecting the memories of my
predecessors, (which lyes partly in the before -
mentioned histories, but mostly in ther oune
charters and those of ther vassalls, which I have
perused with the writts and evidences of other
noble families, with whom the house of Cow-
thally did match themselves,) was the apprehen-
sione and hopes I have that nothing prevailles
more with generous soules to perswad them to

4 MEMORIE OF

glory and virtue, then to know that they aither
represent ancient families themselves, or are de-
scended from worthie parents, cad^tes of such
who, by some remarkable and memorable actione
for ther prince or countrey haveing signalized
themselves, therby acquyred honours and estates
which eftirward they transmitted to their poste-
ritie, and the same continueingfor a long tract of
tyme, confirmed them in ther greatnes above
others. This being the conditioneof yourfamilie,
and these the reall ends of this my addresse, I
am confident, by reading the memories of your
predecessors, you will doe vertueously, and stu-
dy to be imitators of ther praise-worthy actions.
Neither let it trouble you what the malice of
some may object, that few of your name and fa-
milie attained to great places in the state, or wer
eminent above others in the court or camp, for
the alleadgeance is false, and it is ther ignorance
of tymes and persones that makes them speak
soe, for in both kingdomes our sirname attained
to great honours and places in the court and
camp ; albeit they wer not natives of either of
these kingdomes, but Normans by extractione.
The first that came into England being Sir Gual-
ter de Somervill, a Norman knight, who, for as-
sisting King William the Conqueror in his con-

THE SOMERVILLS. 5

queis of England, for that service had the lord-
ship of Whichenour, in the countie of StafTord-
shyre, conferred upon him and his posterity,
■which remained with them, besydes the acquisi-
tiene of many other barronies and lands in the
same, and severall other counties in England, for
three hundered years, untill the twentie-nynth
year of Edward the Third's reigne, at which
tyme, upon the twentie-third of January, 1356,
dyed Sir Philip de Somervill, shirref of Buckin-
game and Bedford counties, who, leaveing no
aires male to succeed him, his inheretance was
transmitted, by right of his two daughters, to the
families of Sir John Greifford, the Staffords, af-
terwards Dukes of Buckingame, and to Edmond
Vernour, who marryed a grandchylde of Sir Phil-
lips, likewayes ane heiress, dureing all which
space of tyme, from the reigne of William the
Conqueror to the twentie-nynth year of Edward
the Third, some one or other of that house, name,
or familie, wer imployed in ther princes or coun-
tries service, and wer honourably rewarded for
the same.

As for ther preferment in Scotland, it was all-
most so soon as they set ther foot into it ; wit-
ness Sir John Somervili's being knighted by
King William, sirnamed the Lyon, in the nynth

o MEMORIE OF

year of his reigne, anno 1 1 74, at which tyme
the sirname of Somervill setled themselves in
Scotland, by Sir John Somervill haveing the bar-
ronie of Lintoune, in Roxburgh shy re, conferred
upon him by that king's gift, for killing a ser-
pent, (or a monstrous worme, as we have by tra-
ditione from the vulgar) which shall be declared
more fully in his memorie. From this noble gen-
tleman, Sir John of Lintoune, as the fountain
and.originall, are descended the whole name and
familie of the Somervills that at this present are
in Scotland. What ther preferments in particu-
lar wer in this kingdome is not so evident in the
publick records as they are in England, however
some we have certane, others upon conjectures.
Rodger Somervill, elder brother to Sir John of
Lintoune, being bred a schollar in France, was
preferred to be Bishop of Saint Andre wes, and is
the twentie in the catalogue, though not ex-
pressed by sirname, (as few or non of our bi-
shops before the reign of King Robert the
Bruce.) This man, Rodger de Somervil, is sup-
posed to have been Chancellor of Scotland, in
the twentie-fourth year of the reigne of King
William, sirnamed the Lyon, anno 11 89. Al-
though it be true, that neither this man nor
Tousett, a man but of mean extractione, who

THE SOMERVILLS. 7

was the first Lord Chancellor of Scotland in the
reigne of Conranus, anno 535, nor yet Anglera-
mus, the fyfth Bishop of Glasgow, and second
Lord Chancellor; Hugo the Third, and this
Rodger the Fourth, are mentioned in the cata-
logue of the chancellors of this kingdome, for
they begin with William Melvisius, the nynth
Bishop of Glasgow, anno ] 198, and yet it is cer-
tane, from our recordes, ther was chancellors
neer seven hundereth years before that tyme in
Scotland, but our historians are defective in ther
relatione in this, as in several other particulars,
relateing to antiquitie.

As in the church and state, soe in the camp,
wee find Sir Gualter Somervill of Newbigging,
and Sir David his sone, (both knighted by Alex-
ander the Third) in the interregnum, were very
active in the behalf of their king and country,
and had the honour to command the third bra-
gad of horse at the battell of Biggar, under the
conduct of that miracle of valour, William Wal-
lace,1 as eftirward Sir John Somervill, Barrone

1 For this exploit, as indeed for the battle of Biggar itself,
there is ho other or better authority than that of Blind Harry,
whose order of battle is thus marshalled : —

The hall they left, and to a plain are gane,
Wallace himself the vanguard he has tane;

8 * MEM0R1E OF

of Lintoune and Carnwath, (second sone to Sir
Gualter, and brother to Sir David) comraonlie
designed in these days Sir John of Clidsdaill, in
imitatione of his father and brother, magnani-
mously listed himself a follower of King Robert
the Bruces, constantly adhereing to his and his
sones interests, being in person with King Ro-
bert at the battell of Meffin-wood, neer to Perth,
where, with several others of those few barrones
that was there, it was his bad fortune to be ta-
ken prisoner at that tyme. By any calculatione
I can make, he was scarce twentie-four years of
age ; as in this, soe in severall other encounters,
in favours of King Robert and his sone King
Davids interests, he so signalized himself, that
his manhood, as weill as his birth and fortune,
procured to him the eldest daughter of Sir James
Douglas of Loudoune-hill, with whom he gott

With him was Boyd and Auchinleck but dread,
With a thousand of worthy men in weed ;
As many syne in the midward put he,
Sir John the Grahame he gart their leader be ;
With him Adam, young Lord of Richardtoun,
And Somervel, a squire of great renown.
The third thousand in the rereward he dight,
To Walter gave, of Newbigging the knight -,
With him Tinto, that doughty was in deed,
And David, son of Sir Walter, to lead.

THE SOMERVILLS. Q.

the lands of Carnwath, as being the only daugh-
ter of that gentleman's first marriage. Thir lands
of Carnwath was eftirward erected in a barronie
by King David Bruce. Without farder contend-
ing about this matter, it was not upon a court
complement, but upon some speciall and parti-
cular service, that this man's grand-chylde, John
Barrone of Lintoune and Carnwath, haveing re-
ceaved summonds from the king, was, as is be-
leived by some, nobilitat by Robert the Third,
at the first parliament holden at Perth, anno 1306,
in which that king created his eldest sone Duke
of Rossay, and his oune brother, then Earle of
Fyff, Duke of Albanie : these being the first
dukes that wee had in Scotland, and the occa-
sione soe extraordinary, it is not to be doubted
but John, then made Lord Somervill, was a great
courtier, and deserved very weill at his majesties
hands, to be so highly dignified above any of his
predecessors, for honours then as now was not
mercenarie. It is true, this John Barrone of
Carnwarth took not the title of a Lord upon
him, but his sone Thomas, thairfore wee reek-
one him the first Lord Somervill.

And now, if wee take notice of later tymes
dureing the reignes of the fyve King James, ther
was few or non of the nobilitie in Scotland in

10 MEMORIE 01

greater favour, or more frequently honoured with
the personall presence of ther princes at ther
dwelling-houses, then the Lords Somervills wer j
whose house of Cowthally, from the year 1400
to the year 1600, the space of two hundereth
years, intertained not only the kings and ther
traines, when they wrere pleased to divert them-
selves with hunting and halking in those places,
but like ways such of the nobilitie and gentrie
that honoured them with a visit at other tymes.
If ther wer any that had, or intertained a preju-
dice against that once noble familie, as I know
non, I could make them judges in this caice.

What familie in Scotland was more liberall in
ther intertainment ? or what house were they se-
cond to for hospitalitie to persones of all rankes
and conditiones ? Let them name them if they
can. That ther wer some men and families of
greater fortune, honour, high places, and follow-
ing, I readily acknowledge, but it is nottour to
the greatest part of Scotland for liberalitie and
good intertainement ; noe house of any subject,
of what degree soever, for hospitalitie came neer
to Cowthally, and that for the space of two hun-
dereth years. I shall, to make good this ascer-
tione,. adduce noe meaner witnesses then the tes-
timonie of three of our kings, viz. King James

THE SOMERVILLS. 11

the Third, Fourth, and Fyfth. The first of those
in the storie of the Speates and Raxes, asserted
the Lord Somervill's kitchen bred moe cookes
and better than any other nobleman's house he
knew within his kingdom. The second, because
of the great preparatione that was made for his
comeing to Cowthally, at the infare of Sir John
of Quathquam, spoke in lyke words.

For King James the Fyfth, from the eightene
year of his age to the threttie-two, he frequent-
ed noe nobleman's house soe much as Cowthally.
It is true ther was a because ; the castle of Craw-
fuird was not far off, and it is weill enough
knoune as this king was a gallant prince, soe
was he extremely amorous ; but that which I
take notice of as to my purpose is, that his ma-
jestie very frequently, when occasione offered to
speak of house-keeping, asserted, that he was
sure to be weill and heartily intertained at Cow-
thally by his mother Maitland, for soe was the
king gratiously and familiarly pleased to designe
the Lady Somervill, then wife to Lord Heugh,
the first of that name. Albeit, ther needs noe
further testimonies, yet take this for a confirma-
tion of ther great house-keeping, that it is uncon-
travertedly asserted they spent a cow every day

12 MEM0R1E OF

in the year, for which cause it is supposed the
house was named Cow-dayly. I shall enlarge
myself noe further upon this subject j every name
and familie has its ryse, increase, hight, and de-
solutione, and soe had this house of Cowthally,
whose glory is now laid in the dust, and the
principall habitatione of that noble familie a ru-
inous heap, to the discourse of all that beholds
it, therby teaching great men that nether ther
honours nor estates, numerous attendance, nor
houses, . are for ever entailled and assured to
them and ther posteritie ; but as all was once other
mens before it was thers or ther predecessors,
soe it will passe from them or ther posteritie to
other names and families, therby declareing the
mutabilitie and changeableness of all humane
occurrences on this syde of tyme.

And now, that I may close this preface or in-
troductione, I shall only mynde you, my sones,
of three things. The first is, that I am not much
concerned whether yow make these Memories
public or not, but leaves it wholly to your oune
advisement. The second is, that I designed
them principally for your encouragement to ver-
tue, that haveing the advantage of ane worship-
full, I may say, without vanitie, honourable

THE SOMERVILLS. 13

birth and liberall educatione, yow may not only
be ornaments to your name, whereof you are
chieff, but also, by the blessing of the Almigh-
tie God, prove happy instruments to raise the
familie, in some degree, to its former hight and
grander, all of yow being schollars farr beyond
any of your predecessors that I find upon record,
save one.

The third and last is, that I first intertained
the thoughts and set about this worke, when
your loveing mother, and my dearest wife, at-
tended her respective parents at the place of
Corr-house dureing their long sicknes, which
gave the first ryse to that of her oune, and de-
pryved me at lenth of that happynes I enjoyed
in her sweet societie above most of men ; and,
good God ! how could it otherwayes be, seing all
that could be wished for in any woman was emi-
nently to be found in her. In birth worship-
full, being the second daughter of as ancient a
house and familie, as any within the shyre of ther
degree ; her parents not only honoured, but
much beloved of all for ther hospitalitie and ver-
tue. It was truely said of Corr-house, that he was
the soonest and longest a man of any gentleman
in Scotland, and indeed he was company for a
S

14 MEM01UE Oi;1

prince and greatest of our grandies ; and such
in publick for ordinary he conversed with, par-
ticularly his grace, this present Lord Duke of
Hamilton, who loved him cordially, and respect-
ed him as his oune brother ; for his mother, as
she was the daughter of ane ancient and wor-
shipfull house and prudent father, soe did she
evidence to the world, by her knowledge in
most concernes, particularly in the governement
of her house, and charitablenes in distributing
to the poor, that she was come of that frugall
and judicious familie of the Lie,* whose name
and interest at this present is great upon Clyde,
and may be much more soe if they imploy those
great soumes of money they have acquyred by
their honourable and worthy imployments, for a
further conqueist in those places, to whom I am
much obleidged upon that deserveing lady, my
mother-in-law's account, above all my predeces-
sors, betwext whom and my grand-father, Lord
Hugh, and grand uncle, Lord Gilbert, in the last

* The ancient house of Lockhart of Lee, now represented
by Sir Alexander Macdonald Lockhart, Bart.

f Conquest, i. e. in the meaning of the Scottish law, acqui-
sitions by purchase.

THE SOMERVILLS. 1J

centurie, ther was no good understanding, and it
never fared the better with them nor ther fama-
lie for that very cause, as I find by their privat
transactiones in that tyme.

And as my wife was happy in her parents, soe
had she much honour by her uncle Colloneli
James Bannantyne, and her brother Sir William
Bannantyne, likewayes colloneli in the Dutch ser-
vice, two brave gentlemen, that gave place to
non in ther statione for conduct and valour, and
wer truely of great credit to ther natione and re-
latives while they lived, as ther memorie is to this
day, both of them unfortunately killed, the one
at the seidge of York, anno 1614, in our late un-
happy civil warre, the other at the seidge of
the Grave in Holland, anno 1674, in the last
Dutch wane with the French.

Now, by what I have said of her neer rela-
tiones, her oune personall worth can hardly be
conceaved, far lesse expressed by soe unlearned
and dull a pen as myne, if not supplied by the
affectione of a kinde husband, and enly vened by
the rememberance of soe excellent a wife. Con-
sidder her then in her parents, in her relationes,
her educatione, and as a mother, but, above all.
in her understanding and persone. For the first.

16 MEMORIE OF

she had so clear and piercing a witt in appre-
hending any matter, religious or civill, that her
answears wer ready and pertinent, home to the
purpose proponed, without affectatione or wrang-
ling to hear herself speak, especially when ther
happened any debeat anent the present church
government,1 (the common discourse and unhap-
py differences in those tymes ;) whereunto she
submitted with all her heart, both out of know-
ledge, conscience, and duety, and gave a large
testimonie thereto at her death, by only imploy-
ing two of the orthodox clergie to be her com-
forters in that agonie ; and as her oune princi-
ples wer sound and firmly settled, soe had she
much charitie for all that differed from her in
opinion, and blamed those that wer of a con-
trary mynde, still asserting, that wher charitie
was wanting ther was noe reall fear of God, let
ther professione be what it will.

For her knowledge in civill business I can

T That is, Scottish episcopacy, to which the writer of these
Memoirs appears to have been sincerely attached. Disputes
between the favourers of the presbyterian church discipline,
and the government by bishops established upon the Restora-
tion, formed, probably, no small part of private conversation,
as they greatly embroiled public affairs at this period.

THE SOMERVILLS. 17

give her this testimonie from my oune experi-
ence, that never any was more happy to bring
the most intricate and desperat affaires in all
mens judgement to ane fortunate issue, then she.
When my estate was looked upon as quyte ruin-
ed and undone, her prudence, conduct, and ver-
tue only preserved it ; for, to speak the truth, in
my younger years, when I came first to the ma-
nagement of my estate, notwithstanding of the
bad conditione I found it in, I mynded more my
halkes and dogs then business, which was weill
supplied by my wifes indefatigable pains as to my
concernes; nether did her dilligence abroad make
her neglect the care of her familie at home, by
her oune hands, at most tymes with a watchfull
eye over her servants, with whom she conversed
pleasantly and familiarly, which made them doe
more then all the rigiditie that a sullen or dog-
ged mistress can extort from them.

For the proportione of her bodie, pureness and
delicacie of her complexione, the sweetnes of
her air, the best of meanes, with the statelynes of
her port, all concurring to frame and make up
ane excellent creature, gave fyer absolutely the
advantage of most of the women of her tyme, as
cannot nor will not be denyed by any that ever
had the happyness to see her, save such of her

B

18 MEMORIE OF

oune sex as might have grudged and fretted at
the universall applause she receaved, and testi-
monie of being the master piece of women kynde,
that the present or future age may readily behold ;
from whose fruitfull womb four of yow my sones
sprang, before she attained to the twentie-fourth
year of her age, as exact modelles of her delicate
self, being all of yow nursed with the teates and
weaned upon the knees of a most indulgent mo-
ther, who cared foryow in the womb, in the rradle,
upbringing and breeding in all sciences and be-
fitting exercises, that might qualitie yow in your
generatione and statione to be serviceable to your
prince, country, and relationes, and before her
death was soe happy as to see yow setled in your
patrimonies according to your birth rights. Have-
ing proceeded thus farr, I can add noe more ;
the sad rememberance of my unexpresseable losse
hes quyte dulled my inventione.

Yor. affectionate father,

Sic subscribitur,
James Somervill.

THE SOMERVILLS. 19

Off the Jirst comeing of the Name of Somervill
unto the Isle of Brittaine,

AND

What tliey were in England before they came to
Scotland,

Ihe original and beginning of most nationes
and kingdomes being either fabulous, or conjec-
turall at the best, it were beyond all expressione
ridiculous for any sirname to search further then
publick and approven records of that natione
wherof they are natives, or the evidences belong-
ing to the principall families of ther name, and,
in my opinione, those whose curiosities leads
them further, deserves to meet with the fate and
response of that Italian duke who transacted with
ane astronomer to search for his pedigree, and
thereftir to give him ane account, which he did
exactly to the fourth degree, but in the fyfth left

20 MEMORIE OF

him with ane Turks slave and ane oyll mans
daughter, marry ed togither for the first founders
of his house and beginners of his familie. Thus
wee see some mens pride and ambitione turnes
to ther great disgrace, and really I cannot but
admire the vanitie of some gentlemen with whom
I have conversed, that boast of the antiquitie of
ther familie, and ther long continuance, before
our having of letters to leave the same upon
record.

It is very weill knoune, that those sirnames, who

indeed are the ancientest of this kingdome, and

at present are in greatest honour, (a few only

excepted,) had ther entrie and incomeing to this

natione in the reigne of Macolumbus Kenmure,

which was in the year of Christ 1057, since

which tyme untill this present year, 1680, ther

is sex hundereth years and upwards, a trace of

tyme sufficient to continue the antiquitie of any

familie in Scotland ; and I doubt much, let some

men boast what they please, if any nobleman or

gentleman in the low lands can produce any

charter or writt before that tyme, nay, scarce

from that kings reigne untill the reigne of King

David Bruce, from whom most of the charters

belonging to ancient families takes ther dates,

as I know for a certaintie ; but waveing this

THE SOMERVILLS. 21

discourse, I passe on to the memories of my
oune name and familie, and leaves it to others
to give ane account of thers with the same truth
and ingenuitie as I intend to doe of myne.

Seing it is not pretended that the sirname of
the Somervills originally wer either of British,
Scotish, or Saxons extractione, wee need not
goe seek ther pedegree amongst the ancient re-
cords of these nationes ; for, if men would speak
the truth, ther is litle certaintie to be had from
them as to these tymes, the persones that lived
in them, or the publick affaires then transacted,
either amongst themselves or with forraigne na-
tiones, and if soe, what may be expected of pri-
vate families and ther particular concernes.

Neither shall I be soe vain as to search eftir
our name out of the island of Brittaine, and be-
yond the mountaines to fetch ther originall from
Italians, and the kingdom of Naples, out of the
noble familie of the Dukes of Somers ; nor yet,
in repassing the Alpes, take by the way the toune
and house of the Lord Somervill, all designed by
that name, in the province of Savoy ; for our ori-
ginall, it is sufficient to know beyond all cavill,
that our name is of French extractione, and that
we came from the province of Normandie to
Great Brittane, in the qualitie not only of gen-

22 MEMORIE OF

tlemen, but knights, a dignitie of much more
credit in these dayes then at present, when ther
valour, not ther money, or court minions, procu-
red them that honour.

And now that the superstructure may stand
firme, and the edifice appear the better, I resolve
to lay a sure foundation, such as cannot be con-
traverted, unless men bring in question the mo-
derne as weill as the ancient histories and re-
cords of Brittane, that which I shall particularly
pitch upon for to begin this narratione, is the
Historie of the English Barronage, or the anci-
ent Worthies of England, and in this I think it
not fitt to use my oune words, but to give yow
the authors.

[1 Edward III.]

1066. Of Sir Gauller de Somervill, the first Barrone of
Whichenour, in the Countie of Stafford Shire.

Rodger the Fyfth, and Philip the First, nobili-
tat and made Peers of England. — Of this fami-
lie, though they were but two, and the last of

THE SOMERVILLS. 23

the male lyne who had sumraonds to the parlia-
ment, yet wer they before that tyme men of emi-
nent note and rank in ther days. The first of
them that came into England was Sir Gaulter de
Somervill, a Normane knight, who seated him-
self at Whichenour, in the countie of Stafford-
shyre, having that fair lordship, and Bartane
neer to it, by the gift of King William the Con-
queror.

This far the author of the Antiquities of Eng-
land, by which wee understand both the tyme of
the sirname of the Somervills first comeing to
England, which was in the year 1066, as also
the qualitie they wer off, at that tyme being
knights, ane honour not so easily come by then
as in this present age ; for which see the Histo-
rie of the Douglasses, page 33, that speaks truely
and fully to this purpose.*

Farther of this Sir Gualter I find not in any
of the histories of England, save only that he
was father to a second Gualter, his sone, that

* The author refers to Hume of Godscroft, who pronounces
a long eulogium upon the dignity anciently conferred by the
honour of knighthood. The folio edition of 1644- is that re-
ferred to.

24 MEMORIE OF

succeeded to him in his estate ; for the parti-
cular writs or evidences belonging to this fami-
lie, if ther be any extant of this man, certainly
they must be in the hands of such as are possess-
ors of his lands at present ; but as I am inform-
ed', writs belonging to privat families are neither
many nor have great antiquitie, by the custome
of England, to preserve ther memorie to pos-
terities

Off Gnalter the Second of that Name, and Second
Baronne of Whichenour*

From Sir Gualter descended another Gualter,
of whom ther is noe farther mentione, but that
he marryed Cicilly Delunsie, by whom he had
issue Rodger de Somervill, that succeeded to him
in his estate.

Off Rodger the First of that Name, and Third
Barronne of Whichenour.

All that I find of this man is, that he marryed
one Edellie to his wife, daughter to Robert Bu-

THE SOMERVILLS. 25

ther of Inglishbie, and begott on her a sone,
named Rodger, who succeeded to him in his
fortune.

Off the Second Rodger, and Fourth Barrone of
Whichenour.

Off this Rodger I find nothing written, but
that he was father to a third Rodger, of whom
wee are next to write.

Off Rodger the Third of that Name, and Fyft
Barronne of Wliichenour*

Off this Rodger the histories of England
speakes nothing, untill the year 1203, which
was the fyfth year of the reigne of John, King
of England, and then the author of the antiqui-
ties of that natione tells us, that this gentleman
obtained from King John, the fyfth year of his
reigne, a grant of the manour of Zears, * which

* Afterwards more correctly spelled Eyrwasi, of which Years
or Zears is the contraction.

26 MEMORIE OF

was one of the lordships of the kings ancient
demains, and joyneing to that of Whichenour
before-mentioned, to hold in few farme for the
old rent, and 100 shillings more increase. Thus
far the author of the English Antiquities, untill
the year 1114. He again informs us, that this
Rodger adhereing to the rebellious barrons,
about the later end of King John his reigne, by
reason wherof his manour of Stockton, in the
county of Wear, was given to Henry Deeduly,
and so writes noe more of this Rodger, nor yet
of his sone John, but only names him to be fa-
ther to Robert, that was grandchilde to Rodger
the third of that name, of whom he had been
wrytting ; as he was then relateing the memorie
of Robert, the son of John, the which John, al-
beit he be only named by this author, yet the fa-
milie of the house of Whichenour, in England,
was continued in him, as that of Lintoune, in
Scotland, was begun by reasone his eldest bro-
ther Rodger being a churchman, never marryed,
and these two gentlemen, Rodger and John, was
all the male successione that Rodger the third
(forfaulted by King John) ever had that we can
come to the knowledge of. However, it appeares
from what wee understand of the memorie of the
two sones, that ther father lies been very care-

THE SOMERVILLS. 27

full of ther educatione, for finding the nature and
inclinatione of his eldest sone bookish, and that
of the youngest to have more of the souldiers
and courtiers, he accordingly gave them breed-
ing, the first at the universitie of France, some
of ther abbacies or monastries most famous for
learning, the universities of Oxfoord and Cam-
bridge not being founded untill the reigne of
Edward the . *

The second being of a comely countenance,
and active much above his age, haveing accom-
panyed his father to the north of England to see
his mothers relationes, it was his good fortune
to be first taken notice off, and then recommend-
ed by some Scots courtiers to Malcolumbus the
Fourth, who was then King of Scotland, and
possessed at that tyme the counties of Northum-
berland, Cumberland, Westmorland, and the
earldome of Huntingtoune, in England, his ma-
jestie being then ordering his affaires in those
parts, when it was the happynes of this youth to
be receaved in his service, and that in the quali-
tie of ane of the pages of honour in regard of his

* This is a strange mistake, for the university of Oxford
was either founded or restored by Alfred, and Cambridge ei-
ther founded or restored by the Abbot of Crowland, in 1109.

£8 MEMORIE OF

worshipfull descent, which the king being in-
formed of at first by persones of the best quali-
tie in these counties, and eftirvvard by his father
Rodgers comeing to kisse his royall hands, and
to recommend his young sone to his majesties
favour and protectione, in a country where he
was but a stranger, and had nothing to trust to
but his royall bountie. The king not only ac-
cepted the sone because of his sprightly port,
but in regaird of his fathers soe frankly parting
with a sone of soe great hopes to him, a for-
raigne prince, that might in tyme have procured
ane honourable imployment for him at home
from his oune king, or in the kingdome of France,
a great part wherof the kings of England had in
possessione at this time. But this youth being
admitted to the service of this pious monarch,
it proved greatly to his oune honour, the ad-
vancement of his eldest brother Rodger to the
principall offices both of the church and state,
in the kingdome of Scotland, as yow shall hear
eftirward.

Rodger haveing setled his eldest son in France
for his educatione, and gotten soe honourable
ane imployment for his youngest sone in Scot-
land, he returned home weill satisfied with his
oune good fortune, and the happy prospect he

THE SOMERVILLS. 29

had of that of both his sones, which many yeares
thereaftir came to pass.

What interest this gentleman had in the ma-
nadgement of the publick affaires of the state in
England, or yet concerneing the ordering of his
oune busines at home, from the year 1 164, which
was the year his sone John entered into the ser-
vice of Malcolumbus Quartus, and came to Scot-
land, untill the year 1203, being threttie and
nyne years, wee are autterly ignorant off, but
that in this year 1203, (being the fyfth of King
John his reign in England,) he was at that tyme
weill staited in his princes favour, which is evi-
dent from that grant of the manour of Zears, was
one of the lordships of the kings ancient demains,
conferred upon him by this kings gift, which
continued with his posteritie eftir his grandsone
Robert was restored by Henry the Third of Eng-
land to his grand fathers fortune, untill the death
of Sir Philip de Somervill, the last air male of
that house of Whichenour i'i England.

All things hitherto succeeded weill with this
worthy and now aged gentleman, himself in
much favour with his oune prince (albeit one of
the worst that ever rang, if wee may believe the
histories of England,) his eldest sone Rodger not
only Bishop of Saint Andrewes, but likewayes

SO MEMORIE OF

the first officer of state, being Lord High Chan-
cellor of Scotland, * in which office he continu-
ed nyne years. This gentleman, Rodger Somer-
vill, elder brother to Sir John of Lintoune, be-
ing bred in France, was preferred to be Bishop
of Saint Andrewes, (and is the twentieth in the
catalogue, though not expressed by sirname,) ef-
tirward in the twentieth and fourth year of King
Williams reigne, sirnamed the Lyon, being in
anno 1189. The office of being lord chancellor
was conferred upon him, although it be true,
neither this Rodger nor Tousett, the first lord
chancellor in the reigne of Conranus,t anno 535,
nor Angleramus, the fyfth Bishop of Glasgow,

* This is another singular mistake. Roger, Bishop of St An-
drews and Chancellor of Scotland in the end of the twelfth cen-
tury, who is thus gratuitously adopted unto the house of Somer-
ville, was in fact the third son of Robert de Bellemonte, sur-
named Blanchemains, the 3d Earl of Leicester, by Petronilla,
daughter of Hugh de Grantmesnil. Roger, according to the
Chronicle of Melrose, was consecrated, in 1198, Bishop of St
Andrews, but had been elected to the see ten years before.
" RogerusJiUus Comites Leicestrice consecratus est in Episcopa-
tum Sancte Andrece prima Dominica Quadrugesimce, 1198." —
See Crawford's Lives of Officers of State, and Keith's Catalogue
of Scottish Bishops, with the authorities there quoted.

f Tousett and Conranus are equally imaginary personages ;
nor is it easy to conceive that a Regulus of Scotland had occa-
sion for a chancellor in 535.

THE SOMERVILLS. 3l

and second lord chancellor, nor yet Hugo the
Third, are mentioned in the catalogue of the
chancellors of this kingdom e, for they began
with William Melvisius, the nynth Bishop of
Glasgow, anno 1198. But it is certain there
were four chancellors before that tyme in Scot-
land, whose names wee have not in ther cata-
logue. Our historians are defective in ther re-
latione in this as in other things j for his young-
est sone John he saw him not only continued in
his service, by the succeeding King of Scotland,
but likewayes preferred to severall places in the
state, and honoured with the title of knighthood,
conferred upon him by William King of Scots,
being allwayes in much favour with his three
masters, Kings of Scotland, whom this young
gentleman had the honour to serve, and ther was
nothing rejoyced him more then to hear this his
sone had (upon his desyre and his oune brothers
entreaty) matched himself with one of the wor-
thiest families of the south of Scotland, whose
interest and following was much in that country,
and ther lands and barrony lying adjacent to that
of his sones.

By which marriage, and his princes favour, he
understood his sone had secured his interest, and
resolved his setlement in the kingdome of Scot-

32 MEMORIE OF

land, wherwith he was weill satisfied, for some
few years eftir King Johns comeing to the croune
of England, this aged gentleman foirsaw the
troubles that would ensue, albeit they broke not
out in open hostilitie untill three or four years
before this king's death, and the last of this gen-
tlemans oune ; what could have enduced him
they were breaking out, being soe weill staited
in his masters favour, and obleidged by soe large
a donatione as the demaine of Zears, was to join
himself with the rebellious barrons at such ane
age, when he could not act any in all human
probabilitie, and was as unfit for counsel], is a
thing to be admired but not understood and
knoune ; seing the author of the English Antir
quities is silent herein, and only tells us he joyn-
ed with these barrons that wer in the rebellione,
for which his estate was forfaulted, and given to
such as adhered to the kings interest. Thus wee
see the unconstancie of mens conditione in this
world, for here is a gentleman of noe mean ex-
tractione, whose predecessors for services done
to the croune of England, and more particularly
to the persone of William the Conqueror, from
whom he had the lordship of Whichenour, and
thereftir the benevolences and grants of the suc-
ceeding Kings of England gave them opulent

1?

THE SOMERVILLS. 33

fortunes in severall counties of England, and for
any thing knoune from the histories of England,
this man, as all his predecessors was much in fa-
vour with the kings untill this unhappy warr fell
out, wherin this unfortunat and aged gentleman,
some way or other, engaged himself to the utter
undoeing of his posteritie in the kingdome of
England, if Providence had not ordered it other
wayes.

Eleven years preceeding this, he had been try-
sted* with the said dispensatione of his eldest
sone Rodgers death, who some four years before
he dyed, with his masters consent, had demitted
his place of being chancellor, in favour of Wil-
liam Melvisius, that he might better attend his
ecclesiasticall functione, wherin he continued
but four years, and then Melvisius succeeded to
that also, anno 1 202 ; for this worthy prelat, Rod-
ger de Somervill, dying at Saint Andrewes,t was
buryed in the cathedrall church therof, by his

* i. e. appointed (by Providence) to meet with the disas-
ter.

f Roger de Bellomont, who is here called Roger de So-
merville, Bishop of St Andrews, died at Cambus Kenneth, in
July 1202, and was interred in the chapel of St Rule, at St
Andrews. His connection with the house of Somerville seems
quite apocryphal.

34 MEMORIE OF

brother Sir John of Lintoune ; his father Rod-
ger not being then in Scotland, soe that from the
year of his eldest sones death, untill the year
1213, that he engadged in the barrones warrs,
wee hear nothing of him from the English Anti-
quities, but that the year eftir his sones death he
had that grant of the demainsof Zears, was from
King John, in anno 1203, and thereafter that he
engaged in the rebellione in the year 1213, for
which being forfaulted, he fled to Scotland, and
came to his sones Sir Johns house at Lintoune,
where his eyes was blessed with the sight of his
grand children, particularly with Robert and
William, the two eldest, then but youths, both
which eftirwards wer the heads of two noble and
honourable families, the one in England, and the
other in Scotland. For himself he lived not
many moneths eftir his comeing to Scotland,
but dyed in anno 1214, being then neer the
nyntieth and fourth year of his age, at his sones
house in Lintoune tour : he was buryed with all
the ceremonies and funerall pomp in use at that
tyme, by his sone John and his ladyes relationes ;
he was laid in the quier of Lintoune church, and
was the second of that name of Somervill that
lay in Scots ground, being father to Rodger,
Bishop of Saint Andrews, Lord High Chancel-

THE SOMERVILLS. 3$

lor of Scotland ; and to John, the first barrone of
Lintoune, and grandfather to Robert the first of
that name, the seventh lord or barrone of Which-
enour, in England, including his father John, of
which Robert before wee wryte any thing, wee
must give ane account of his father Johns first
comeing to Scotland, and the occasione of his
setleing there.

Off John the First of that Name, and Sexth Bar-
rone of Whichenour ; the First of Lintoune, in
Scotland, and the Sexthfrom Sir Gualter de So-
mervill.

Being now to bring the sirname of Somervill
to Scotland, eftir ther arryveal in England nyne-
tie years, wee must look back to the reigne of
Malcolumbus the Fourth, sirnamed the Maiden,
grand childe to King David the First, and eldest
sone to Prince Henry. This pious monarch was
King of Scotland in the year of Christ 1 153, and
possessor at that tyme of the counties of Nor-
thumberland, Cumberland, Westmuirland, and
Huntingtoune, in the kingdome of England;
this noble prince, amongst severall others of the
gentlemen of these counties, was pleased to re-

36 MEMORIE OF

ceave and entertaine, as one of his pages of ho-
nour, John Somervill, second son to Rodger de
Somervill, the fyfth barrone of Whichenour, in
1164. anno 116*4, being the eleventh year of his majes-
ties reigne, and the fourteinth of this youths
age, who still continued in his majesties service
during his reigne, which was not long, for he
sickned and dyed at Jedburgh, the twelfth year
of his reigne, and was buried in Dumfermeling,
haveing before his death renued and enlarged
the chartor of the abbacy of Jedburgh, founded
by his grandfather King David, in which char-
tor this youth, John Somervill, is a witnes. The
chartor is dated at Jedburgh, in anno 1 164 : some
few moneths before this the king dyed. This
chartor of late was seen in the prodnctione of a
proces betwixt the Earls of Roxburgh and Lo-
thian, when they contended about the prehemi-
nency of place, and who should be cheiff. It
was at that tyme read of many gentlemen, parti-
cularly by Mr William Cheislie, present wrytter
in Edinburgh, the authors informer, soe that the
tyme wee fix upon for the sirname of Somervills
first comeing to Scotland being in this kings
reigne is evident, and clear beyond all cavill,
from this gentleman being a witness in the char-
tor granted by his majestie in favour of that ab-
bacie.

THE SOMERVILLS. 37

Malcolumbus the Fourth, dying in anno 1165, 1165.
William, surnamed the Lyon, his brother, suc-
ceeded to the croune of Scotland ; a prince of
many eminent vertues, who was soe far from
discountenanceing those that wer in favour with
his predecessor, or in his service, that upon the
contrary they were highly esteemed of him, and
not only continued in ther service, but in tyme
preferred to severall dignities, and amongst others
this young gentleman, John Somervill, being now
of the age of fyfteine, he began for his many ver-
tues to have some interest in the court ; but that
which procured to him that honourable place of
being the kings fallconar, some nyne years eftir
he entered into his majesties service, and gave
him the lands and barronie of Lintoune, was a
very extraordinary and gallant action. How the
memorie of it comes to have been omitted by
the wrytters of our histories, I cannot under-
stand, unless it proceeded from the dullnesse and
ignorance of that age, that left the very principall
and grand occurrences, both in the church and
state, and the persons that wer actors, unknoune
to the future generations, giving us nothing to
the purpose but the bare names of our kings, and
the tyme of ther reigne. However, according
to the constant uncontraverted and generall tra-

38 MEMORIE OF

ditione of men untill this present age, the storie
is this : —

In the parochen of Lintoune, within the sher-
rifdome of Roxburgh, ther happened to breed
ane hydeous monster in the forme of a worme,*
soe called and esteemed by the country people,
(but in effect hes been a serpent, or some such
other creature,) in lenth three Scots yards, and
somewhat bigger then ane ordinary man's leg,
with a head more proportionable to its lenth
then greatnes, in forme and cullour to our com-
mon muir edders. This creature, being a ter-
rour to the country people, had its den in a hol-
low piece of ground upon the syde of a hill south-
east from Lintoune church, some more than a
myle, which unto this day is knoune by the name
of the Worme's Glen, where it used to rest and
shelter itself; but when it sought eftir prey, then
this creature would wander a myle or two from
its residence, and make prey of all sort of bes-
tiall that came in its way, which it easily did, be-
cause of its lownesse, creeping amongst the bent,
heather, or grasse, wherein that place abounded
much, by reasone of the meadow ground, and a

* Orrae, or worme, is, in the ancient Norse, the generic name
for serpents.

THE SOMERVILLS. 39

large flow mosse, fit for the pasturage of many
cattell, (being naturally of itself of noe swift mo-
tione,) it was not discerned before it was master
of its prey, instantly devouring the same, soe
that the whole country men thereabout wer for-
ced to remove ther bestiall, and transport them-
selves three or four myles from the place, leave-
ing the country desolate ; neither durst any pas-
singer goe to the church or mercat upon that
rod for fear of this beast. Several attempts was
made to destroy it by shooting of arrowes, throw-
ing of darts, non darring to approach soe neer
as to make use of a sword or lance, but all ther
labours was in vaine. These weapons did some-
tymes slightly wound, but was never able to kill
this beast, soe that all men apprehended the
whole country should have been destroyed, and
that this monster was sent as a just judgement
from God to plague them for ther sins. Dure-
ing this fear and terrour amongst the people,
John Somervill being in the south, and hearing
strange reports of this beast, was, as all young
men are, curious to see it ; and, in order therto,
he comes to Jedburgh, where he found the whole
inhabitants in such a panick fear, that they were
ready to desert the toune. The country people,
that wer fled there for shelter, had told soe many

40 MEMORIE OF

lies, as first, that it encreased every day, and was
beginning to get wings ; others pretended to have
seen it in the night, asserted it was full of fyre,
and in tyme would throw it out, with a thousand
other ridicolous stories, which the timerous mul-
titude are ready to invent on such ane occasione,
though, to speak the truth, the like was never
knoune to have been seen in this natione before.
However, this gentleman continues his first re-
solutione of seeing this monster, befall him what
will; therefore he goes directly to the place
about the dawning of the day, being informed
that for ordinary this serpent came out of her
den about the sun ryseing, or neer the sun set-
ting, and wandered the feildes over to catch
some what. He was not long neer to the place
when he saw this strange beast craul furth of her
den ; who, observeing him at some distance, (be-
ing on horse back,) it lifted up its head with half
of the bodie, and a long tyme stared him in the
face with open mouth, never offering to advance
or come to him ; whereupon he took courage,
and drew much neerer, that he might perfectly
see all its shapes, and try whether or not it would
darr to assault him, but the beast turneing all-
most in a half circle, returned to the den, never
offering him the least prejudice ; whereby he

THE SOMERVILLS. 41

concludes this creature was not soe dangerous
as the report went, and that ther might be a way
found to destroy the same.

Being informed of the means that some men
had used for that end allready, and that it was
not to be assaulted by sword or dagger, (the or-
dinary armes, with the lance, at that tyme,) be-
cause of the neer approach these weapons requy-
red, if the beastwere venomous, or should cast out
any such thing, he might be destroyed without
a revenge. Being apprehensive of this hazard,
for severall dayes he markes the outgoeing,
creeping, and entering of this serpent into her
den, and fand, by her ordinar motione, that she
would not retire backward, nor turne but in
half a circle at least, and that ther was noe way
to kill her but by a sudden approach with some
long spear upon horse back, but then he feared,
if her bodie was not penetrable, he might endan-
ger not only his horse's life, which he loved very
weill, but also his oune, to noe purpose. To pre-
vent which he falls upon this device, (having
observed that when this creature looked upon a
man, she allwayes stared him in the face with
open mouth,) in causeing make a spear neer
twice the ordinary length, ordaineing the same to
be pleated with irone, at least six quarters from

42 MEMORIE OP

-the poynt upward, that noe fyre upon a sudden
might cause it fall asunder; the which being
made according to his mynde, he takes his horse,
weill acquainted with the lance, and for some
dayes did -exercise him with a lighted peat on
the top of the lance, untill he was weill accus-
tomed both with the smell, smoak, and light of
the fyre, and did not refuse to advance on the
spurr, although it blew full in his face. Have-
ing his horse managed according to his mynde,
he caused make a litle slender wheell of irone,
and fix it soe within half a foot of the poynt of
his lance, that the wheell might turne round on
the least touch, without hazarding upon a sud-
den breaking of the lance.

All things being fitted according to his mynde,
he gave advertisement to the gentlemen and
commons in that country that he would under-
take to kill that monster or dye in the attempt,
prefixing a day for them to he spectators. Most
of them looked upon this promise as a rodomen-
tado, others as ane act of madnes, flowing from
ane inconsiderat youth ; but he concerned not
himself with their discourses. The appoynted
day being come, somewhat before the dawning
of the day, he placed himself, with a stout and
resolute fellow, his servant, (whom he gained by

THE SOMERVILLS. 43

a large reward to hazard with him in this at-
tempt,) within half ane arrow flight, or therby,
to the den's mouth, which was noe larger then
easily to admit the outgoeing and re-entering of
this serpent, whom now he watched with a vigi-
lent eye upon horse back, haveing before pre-
pared some long, small, and hard peats, bedab-
bed with pitch, roset, and brimstone, fixed with
small wyre upon the wheell at the poynt of his
lance; these being touched with fyre, would
instantly break out into a flame. The proverb
holds good, that the fates assists bold men, for it
was truely verefied in him, fortune favouring the
hardy enterprize of this young man. The day
was not only fair, but extreme calm ; no wind
blowing but a breath of air, that served much to
his purpose.

About the sun ryseing, this serpent or worme
(as by traditione it is named) appeared with her
head, and some part of her bodie, without the
den ; whereupon the servant, according to di-
rectione, set fyre to the peats upon the wheell
at the top of the lance, and instantly this reso-
lute gentleman puts spurrs to his horse, advan-
ced with a full gallop, the fyre still encreasing,
placed the same with the wTheell, and almost the
third part of his lance, directly in the serpent's

44? MEMORIE OF

mouth, which went doune her throat into her
bellie, which he left there, the lance breaking
by the rebound of his horse, giveing her a dead-
ly wound, who, in the pangs of death, (some
part of her body being within the den,) soe great
wras her strenth, that she raised up the whole
ground that was above her, and overturned the
same to the furthering of her ruin, being partly
smothered by the weight therof.

Thus was she brought to her death in the way
and manner rehearsed, by the bold undertaking
of this noble gentleman, who, besydes ane uni-
versall applause, and the great rewards he re-
ceaved from his gracious prince, deserved to
have this actione of his engraven on tables of
brasse, as a perpetuall memoriall of his worth.
"What that unpolished age was capable to give
as a monument to future generation es he had, by
haveing his effigie, in the posture he performed
this actione, cutt out in stone, and placed above
the principall church door of Lintoune kirk,
with his name and sirname, which nether length
of tyme, nor casuall misfortune, hes been able to
obliterate or demolish, but that it stands entire
and legible to this very day, with remembrance
of the place where this monster was killed, call-
ed the Serpent's Den, or, as the country people

2

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z

Z£l

1=3

:-

1 v

--

THE SOMERVILLS. 45

names it, the Worme's Glen,* whose bodie being
taken from under the rubbish, was exposed for
many dayes to the sight of the numerous multi-
tude that came farr and neer from the country
to look upon the dead carcasse of this creature,
which was soe great a terrour to them while it
lived, that the storie, being transmitted from fa-
ther to sone, is yet fresh with most of the people
thereabout, albeit it is upward of fy ve hundereth
years since this actione was performed.

For the young gentleman himself, he was 1174.

• The spot mentioned in the text is still called the Worm's
Glen, and the common people retain among them a traditional
account of the feat of Somerville, nearly as described in the
text. But the monument appealed to, which is still distinctly
visible in the wall of the old church, throws a great doubt on
the kind of monster which this valorous knight destroyed. The
sculpture, of which we have given a vignette, presents a rude
representation of a horseman in complete armour, bearing a fal-
con on his arm, in allusion probably to Somerville's office of
royal falconer. He is in the act of charging his lance down the
throat of a large four-footed animal, probably a bear or wolf,
but which in no point resembles a serpent. There is an effaced
inscription, afterwards mentioned in these Memoirs, which the
common people (adapting it to their own tradition) pretend
run thus :

THE WODE LAIRD OF LARISTONE
SLEW THE WORM OF WORME'S GLEN,
AND WAN ALL LINTON FAROCHINE.

The house of Somerville, in allusion to this exploit, and the
means employed by their ancestor upon this occasion, bear
for a crest, awyvern (or herddric dragon) vert, perched upon
a wheel or.

46 MEMORIE OF

much esteemed off by his royall master King
William, by whom he was not only honoured
with knighthood, but also rewarded in haveing
the lands and barronie of Lintoune conferred
upon him for that particular service done to his
country. By the grant of these lands, and the
charters date, which was in the year of Christ
1174, being the nynth year of King William's
reigne, wee conclude that the sirname of Somer-
vill setled themselves in Scotland, by haveing a
proprietie therin, wherby they became subjects
in that kingdome. From this house, and the
barronies of Lintoune, are descended the wholl
families and name of Somervill now in Scotland,
and it is originally from this young gentleman
they have their beginning here, as these in Eng-
land had thers from Sir Gualter de Somervill,
and the house of Whichenour, from which this
of Lintoune had its ryse, as is most evident from
the clear progresse of these memors allready
mentioned.

Sir John Somervill, now of Lintoune, by this
grant, and his majesties speciall favour, haveing
obtained and procured to himself that honoura-
ble place of being the king's principall fallconar,
and some few years thereafter he was constitut
sherriff of 'Roxburgh-shyre, in which office he
continued dureing King William's life, which

I/1

n

THE SOMERVILLS. 47

was very long. Soe soon as he had been setled
in these imployments, and fand that the nobili-
tie and barrones of Scotland had a respect for
him, because of his interest at court, he began
to considder himself as a subject of the King of
Scots ; therefore he resolves to make his resi-
dence, and provide for his posteritie, in this
kingdome, notwithstanding of the opulent for-
tune he was to enjoy in England efter the deceas
of his father Rodger de Somervill, Lord or Bar-
rone of Whichenour, whose eldest sone and ap-
pearand air, Rodger Somervill, being bred a
schollar in France, had putt himself in orders,
and became a churchman, wher, by the constitu-
tione of the papall government, he was become
incapable of haveing a legal successione, soe that
what inheritance he had by his birth-right was
to descend to his brother John, now Barrone of
Lintoune in Scotland, who, being in the twenti-
eth and fourth year of his age, did litle mynde to
putt himself in a marryed conditione. The plea-
sures of the court, and his constant attendance
upon the king, with his recreatione, (ther being
a profound peace,) took up his wholl imploy-
ment, so that albeit he was often importuned by
letters from his father, and not a few from his
elder brother, to put himself in a marryed state,

48 MEMORIE OF

yet I find not that he was soe untill some years
eftir his brother Rodger de Somervills comeing
to Scotland, who being by his oune merits and
his brothers interest at court, haveing allready
(while he was in England) passed the smallest
dignities and offices of the church, and some
others in Scotland, to be first preferred Bishop
of Saint Andrewes, and is the twentieth in the
catalogue thereafter in anno 1189, being the
twentieth and fourth year of King William's
reigne, he is made Lord Chancellor of Scotland,
and is supposed to be the fourth chancellor that
had been of this natione. Tousett, a man of
mean extractione, being the first in the reigne
ofConranus, anno 535; Angleramus, the fyfth Bi-
shop of Glasgow, being the second, and Hugo, the
eighth Bishop of Glasgow, andnyneteinth of Saint
Andrewes, being the third, in anno 1178.* It is
true, in the catalogue of our chancellors, they are
pleased to begin with William Melvisius, the
nynth Bishop of Glasgow, in anno 1198, but by
ther favour I presume, under correctione, they
make not ther collectione right, as is evident
from severall testimonies, particularly from the
catalogues of the Bishops of Scotland, who are
marked doune as haveing been chancellors of

* We have already said that this is all visionary.

THE SOMERVILLS. 49

Scotland before William Melvisius* tyme ; but I
passe this, as not willing to enter the list of our
moderne antiquitaries, some of whom hesallmost
as many errors as they have lynes, and it is no
great wonder, seing they have but dark lanternes
to shaddow furth a litle light of those tymes.
Let it suffice for my purpose, that it pleased God
that this noble gentleman, John Barron e of Lin-
toune, whose memorie I now wryte, should not
only be the first of his name in a strange coun-
try, but also a happy instrument to enlarge ther
possessiones, and bring his familie and neer re-
lationes unto great dignitie, as he was the cause
of his elder brothers comeing to Scotland, wher-
by he attained to these great honours allready
mentioned, and in which he continued nyne
years chancellor, and then demitted in favours
of William Melvisius, haveing lived but four
years eftir his demissione. William Melvisius
succeeded likewise to his bishoprick, anno 1202.
Some few years eftir, Rodger de Somervill was
setled in his dignities of church and state, and
began to take upon him the manadgement of se-
cular affaires. He prevailles upon his brother
Sir John to take a wife, therby to continue the
memorie of their familie ; which albeit he had no
great inclinatione for it himself, yet to gratifie

50 MEMORIE OF

his brother he now seeks eftir one, though then
neer the fourtieth year of his age. This is not
much to be wondered at, seing a successor of his,
and the fourteinth from him, was neer to the same
age before he marry ed.* However, more out
of obedience to his brother's commands than his
oune inclinatione, he marryes Elizabeth Oli-
phant, daughter to Sir Robert Oliphant of Cesse-
foord, (the Kers, nowof Cessefoord,t succeeded
to the Oliphants, but whether by forfaulture or
marriage I know not,) ane ancient baronne in
Tiviotdale, whose lands and barronie of Cesse-
foord lay next and adjacent to his oune barrony
of Lintoune. The watter of Kaill, that empties
itself in Tiviot, bounding or separating these two
barronies. With this Lady, Elizabeth Oliphant,
Sir John Somervill of Lintoune lived very hap-
pily for many years, haveing severall children,
whose remembrance wee have not, except Robert
and William, who succeeded to his oune and
predecessors estates both in Scotland and Eng-

* James Somervill of Drum marrycd at the age of thertieth
and sex — Original Note. This was the author of the manu-
script himself.

f Andrew Ker, according to genealogists the fifth of the
house of Roxburgh, obtained a grant of the lands of Cessford
in 1446, which became the distinguishing title of that family
until it was ennobled.

THE SOMERVILLS. 51

land. His master, King William, about this
tyme goeing to England in anno 1200,* John
Barrone of Lintoune accompanies his majesty in
that journey, wherby he had opportunitie to vi-
site his old father Rodger, Lord of Whichenour,
who then was in the retinue of John King of
England. Dureing the abode of this prince at
York, ther was a nobleman's childe of great beau-
tie, being air to great possessiones, that had a
disease uncureable, who by the only touch of
this godly King William was perfectly healled.T
This interview being over, King William re-
turnes to Scotland, and continues his pious do-
nations to many abbacies, and erected some bi-
shoprickes, such as Argyle and severall others,
and founded the toune of Perth, granting therto
severall priviledges. The kingdom e still conti-
nueing in peace dureing his reigne, which was
fourtieth and nyne years ; about which tyme, or
the year preceeding, 1213, the barrones warrs
falle out in England ; King John and his barrones

* For the purpose of performing homage to King John for
his English possessions, which he did at Lincoln, 22d Nov.
1200, " salvo jure suo."

\ This farce was probably played off to put himself on a level
with the Kings of England, who claimed this healing virtue ia
right of Edward the Confessor.

52 MEMORIE OF

quarrell ; the first for his prerogative royall and
the priviledge of thecroiuie,(wherein,to speak the
truth, he had but a slender right, Arthur Duke
of Brittane, sone to Godfray, the eldest brother's
right, was preferable to his,) and the later, for
the same immunities and freedomes eftirward
contained in ther Magna Charta, granted to them
by his sone Hendry the Third, the nynth year
of his reigne, which they alleadged was violated
by his impositiones and taxes imposed upon them
without ther oune consents, which was contra-
ry, as they alleadged, to the knoune and esta-
blished lawes of England. This warr continued
with various successe dureing King John's reigne,
and some part of the minoritie of King Hendry
the Third, before it was fully setled ; and it was
the misfortune of Rodger de Somervill, Lord of
Whichenour, when his age might have excused
him from being either of counsell or actione
with any of the parties, to be one of these who
#yded with the rebellious barrones. When that
factione had contended long to litle purpose, but
to the hazard of enslaving ther natione, and fur-
thering of their oune ruine, being beaten by the
king's forces, most of them was necessitat to seek
ther relief in France and elsewhere. Amongst
others, Rodger Lord of Whichenour came into

THE SOMERVILLS. 53

Scotland, and remained at Lintoune with his
sone Sir John. Some few moneths eftir his ar-
ryveall he dyed, and was buryed in the quier of
Lintoune church, as is allready declared in his
memorie.

Rodger being dead, John, now Lord of Whiche-
nour, (his elder brother Rodger, in the year 1 202,
being also deceased,) haveing, some moneths
before his royall master King William dyed, pro-
cured from him a letter of recommendatione to
King John, he goes to England, being then in
the sextieth and fourth year of his age, to re-
ceave his father's forfault estate there, and makes
applicatione both to the king and court, but all
to noe purpose* Ther was other men in posses-
sione thereof by the king's gift, that his majestie
would hear noe addresse made to him in favours
of this worthie gentleman, and that because of
his father's ingratitude, upon whom, some few
years eftir his comeing to the croune, he had
conferred the manour of Eyrs, which was one of
the lordships of his oune ancient domains, and
adjacent to that of Whichenour. All hope of
prevailing with King John for any interest this
gentleman could make at court, things then be-
ing quyte out of order, both within and without
the kingdome that belonged to England dureing

54 MEMORIE OF

the reigne of this ungratious king ; therefore, he
returnes home to Scotland, where all was in
peace, by the justice and valour of that excellent
prince Alexander the Second, who now swayed
the scepter of Scotland, with a resolutione not
to seek eftir his estate in England untill the
tymes wer better, and another king then John
should sit upon the throne of England.
1214. This gentleman being returned to Scotland, he
gave an account of his negotiatione to his now
royall master, Alexander the Second, who suc-
ceeded to his father William in the year of Christ
1214, who, being a good and a valiant prince,
and severe justiciar, had a speciall regard unto
all these that had been in favour with his father
King William, and, amongst others, he was plea-
sed to ratine by a new confirmatione his father's
grant of the lands and barronie of Lintoune to
Sir John Somervill, and withall he gave him noe
small hopes, that if this gentleman lived to see
the present troubles of England setled, to pro-
cure to him, from King Hendry of England, his
father's estate there ; wherein he was as good as
his promise, for his majestie having marryed the
sister of that king, and retained the counties of
Northumberland, Westmuirland, Cumberland,
and Huntingtoune, and the king's two sisters

THE SOMERVILLS. 35

being marryed to two great princes of England,
by his royall master Alexander the Second his
intercessione, and the allyance he had now
made with England, with the great favour Rod-
ger de Somerey his cussin was in with Hen-
dry the Third* as being one of these who had still
syded with King John, as he did with Hendry
in his minoritie against the rebellious barrones :
upon these recommendationes, and his cussin
German's great interest at court, he recovered
that great estate in England, which his father
Rodger had forfaulted by his adhereing to the
rebellious barrones ; but whither he came to the
peaceable possessione therof, the chronicle gives
noe account, naming him only as father to Ro-
bert, but wherin that historie is silent as to the
father's concerns. They supplie that defect
abundantly by a large narratione of his son's ac-
tiones dureing twentieth yeares of Edward the
First his reigne, as shall be spocken to in its
place. For this gentleman, of whom wee now
wryte, haveing left the court because of his age,
he lived with much reputatione amongst his
neighbours in the country, haveing seen the
reigne of three kings, all of whom he had ser-
ved, to witt, Mai columbus the Fourth, William,
sirnamed the Lyon, and to the sexteinth year of

56 MEMORIE OF

the reigne of Alexander the Second j about which
tyme he contracted his eldest sone, being then
but of the age of seventeine years, upon Isobella,
one of the daughters and co-heirs of Rodger de
Merley, a great barrone in Northumberland, by
which he came to have a farr greater interest in
England then formerly. It was because of this
marriage, and his sones comeing to the posses-
sione of the lordship of Whichenour, ther ancient
inheritance in England, that made him, with his
sone Robert's consent, setle the barronie of Lin-
toune upon his second sone William, who, by
grant from his father and brother, made now a
distinct familie from that of Whichenour in
England.

John, King of England, haveing raigned se-
venteinth or eighteinth years, his kingdome be-
ing all in combustione some years before his
death, and himself rejected by his subjects, and
Lewis, the dolphine of France, sone to Philip
Augustus, the fburtieth and two King of France,
being elected by the English for ther king, was
as quickly rejected by them upon King John his
death, and Hendry the Third, sone to King
John, receaved, and Lewis, ther late king, re-
turned back to France. These occurrences be-
ing so fully spocken to, both in the English and

\

THE SOMERVILLS. 57

French histories, I passe them over in a word,
as not being my concerne to medle with the his-
tories of these nationes or my oune, but in so far
as they may give some light to the progresse of
these Memories I have in hand ; seing our sir-
name has been and is concerned in all the three
kingdomes of France, England, and Scotland, I
cannot alltogither passe over these tymes in si-
lence, but will be necessitat to wryte some thing
now and then of the publick affaires as occasione
offers, which I shall doe with all brevitie imagi-
nable.

The particular year of this worthie gentleman's
death, and his exact age, wee can give noe cer-
taintie, but, allowing him to have been of the age
of fyfteinth when he entered into the service of
Macolumbus the Fourth, and of the age of twen-
tieth and four when he performed that memora-
ble actione of killing the monster, wee conclude,
from these forgoeing circumstances, that he
could be noe lesse then of the age of eightie.
He dyed at the tour of Lintoune, which he built,
and lyes buryed in the quier of that church, hard
by his father Kodger Lord of Whichenour.

1230.

58 MEMORIE OF

Off Robert, the seventh Lord or Barrone of
Whichenour, elder Brother to William, second
Barrone of Lintoune.

Before wee come to wryte of the younger bro-
ther, William, the second Barrone of Lintoune,
order requyres wee should treat of his eldest
brother, Robert Lord of Whichenour, who, with-
out doubt, was in the peaceable possessione of
his grandfather's estate in England before his
father John's death, otherwayes it is not to be
thought that either he himself, albeit but young,
or that honourable familie that he was to match
with, would have suffered him to have parted
with a certane fortune in Scotland for a doubt-
full expectatione of enjoying his predecessors
lands in England, from which his grandfather
Rodger being forfaulted was dispossessed, and
his father John, for any thing wee know, was ne-
ver actually possessed therof. However, this no-
ble gentleman, that was borne in Lintoune, and
brought up in Scotlandj his father being restored
to his predecessores ancient inheritance in Eng-
land, by the favour of Hendrie the Third, came
to the possessione therof eftir his fathers death ;

THE SOMERVILLS. 59

and it is upon record, that, eftir his marriage in
the north of England, he procured from Edward
the First, not only a ratificatione to his ancient
estate, and that great fortune that came to him
in Northumberland by his wife, but likewayes
severall grants of new priviledges within the
lordship of Whichenour, and his other lands else-
where in England, as is evident from the author
of the English Antiquities, who wrytes of this
worthie gentleman as to the grace and many fa-
vours he had from his prince, and of his death,
which I conceave fitt to give yow in the author's
oune words : —

*' From which Rodger (speaking of his grand-
father) descended Robert de Somervill, hisgrand-
sone, (sone of John ; this is all that the English
wrytter speakes of this worthie gentleman, the
father of Robert,) who, haveing marryed Isobel-
la, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Rodger
de Merlie, a great barrone in Northumberland,
in the fyfteinth year of the reigne of Edward the
First, payed fyftie pounds for relief of the non-
entrie of the barronie of the said Rodger de
Merlie, and in the eighteine year of Edward the
First obtained the king's licence for free war-
rants in all his demains and lands lyand within
the lordship of Whichenour, Tuncastell, New-

60 MEMORIE OF

bolte, Brideshouse, Sir Scotcurburgh, and Ed-
linghall, in the countie of Staffordshire ; Witune,
Wingates, Horsley, and Scheilds, in the countie
of Northumberland, and Stoctu, in the countie of
Ware: as also for a market every week upon
Tuesday, at his manour of Eyrswase, in the
countie of Staffordshire, and a fair yearly on the
eve-day and morrow of Saint Laurence, and two
dayes following. He dyed the twentieth and
fyfth year of the reigne of Edward the First,
leaveing issue Rodger, his sone and heir." Soe
far the author of the English Antiquities, unto
whom wee have been hitherto, as wee are for
two generationes following, for the most part
obleidged. As to the light wee have of these
Memories allready written, save now and then
some knowledge from the date of a few ancient
charters in favours of abbacies and priories, wher-
in, as witnes the names, sirnames, and designa-
tiones of such persones as are included; and
as they are likewayes in all evidences that I have
of my oune, and seen belonging to other men,
from all which I have truely and ingenuously ex-
tracted the wholl of these preceeding Memories.
Haveing now finished this man's life, and with
it the peace of two nationes, that for three or
four hundreth years, at least, had lived, if not in

THE SOMERVILLS. 6l

perfect amitie, yet they wer without hostill in-
vasione untill the year 1296, at which tyme the
bloody est and longest warr that ever was betwixt
two nationes fell out, and continued two hun-
dreth and sextie years, to the undoeing and ru-
ineing of many noble families, with the slaugh-
ter of a million of men, amongst whom wee shall
see two cousin-germans act ther parts upon
this bloodie theatre ; they being in oppositione
because of ther severall kings and countries in-
terest, which engadged them in honour to be
enemies, notwithstanding of ther neer relatione
by name and kindred.

Off William, the First of that Name, and second
Barrone of Lintoune, younger Brother to Ro-
bert, Lord of Whichenour in England, both of
them the Seventh from Sir Gualter de Somervill.

The house of Whichenour in England, and 1230.
that of Lintoune in Scotland, became now two
distinct families by the death of John, the first
Barrone of Lintoune, that had right to both
these estates. To that in England, by his father
Rodger de Somervill, and to that in Scotland,
by the gift and donatione of his bountiful lord

62 MEM0U1E OF

and master King William, sirnamed the Lyon.
They became again devyded by Robert de So-
mervill, his eldest sone and heir, possesseing and
peaceably enjoying all his father's, or rather
his grandfather Rodger de Somervill his lands
in England, as now his younger brother William,
by the father's donatione and the eldest brother's
consent, did the barronie of Lintoune in Scot-
land, for his patrimonie. Of what age this gen-
tleman was at his father's death is uncertaine ;
his eldest brother being but a stripling, it is not
to be supposed that he was capable to manadge
that considerable fortune left him by his father,
therefore it is not to be doubted, that both the
custodie of his persone, and the governement of
his estate, was in the hands of his mother's rela-
tiones, ther being non of his father's now in Scot-
land, and therefore of his minoritie we can give
noe account.

The kingdom e of Scotland continueing in
peace soe long as Alexander the Second lived,
and the minoritie of Alexander the Third, ther
was litle occasione given for any man to signa-
lize himself upon the public account, every man
liveing under his oune vine, and under his oune
fig-tree, untill the rebellione of the Earles of
Monteith, Atholl, and Buchau, but of this eftir-

THE SOMERVILLS. 63

ward; for William, Barrone of Lintoune, soe
soon as he became a man, he attended the court ;
knowing by what meanes his father John had
raised his fortune, he resolves to make some in-
terest there, which shortly he die! by his father's
memorie, his oune vertue, and his mother's rela-
tiones, that in a few moneths eftir he came to
court he was honoured with the same place his
father had, of being the king's principall fallco-
nar. I know very weill ther is not a few inhabit-
ants in the south that attributes to this gentle-
man what was performed by his father, albeit
they have nothing for them but two or three
lynes of a rood ryme, which, when any treats of
this matter, they repeat ; I am allmost out of
countenance to put them in writt, they are soe
dull and without sense ; however, they are these,
such as they are, for I give them in the words
they wer repeated to me by severall men inha-
biting the toune of Gallow-Schields,* and others
in the parochen of Lintoune. The ryme followes :

Wood Willie Somervill

Killed the worm of Wormandaill,

* A market-town near the conflux of the Gala with the
Tweed in Selkirkshire. The present Lord Somerville has a
beautiful fishing-seat within two miles of this place.

64* MEMORIE OF

For whilk he had all the lands of Lintoune,
And six mylles them about.*

This they have by traditione, but by a mistake
of the name, for it was the father and not the
sone that performed that actione, as is clear
from what wee have allready written j it is true,
this gentleman, by his constant attendance at
the court, and his majesties favour, with the
great additione he made to his estate by marry-
ing Margaret Newbigging, daughter to Walter
of Newbigging, made his name more recent in
the memorie of the people in that peaceable age;
and it is probable the name Willie, sounding
better in the ryme than that of John, hes made
them place the one for the other : but passing
this, the first evidence or writ wee have of this
gentleman, is the contract he makes with Wal-
ter of Newbigging when he marryed his only
daughter. The contract, bond, or what else it
may be named, is without either date or wit-
nesses, or soe much as ther names subscrybeing,
bearing only at the close of fourtie lynes, which
is not very legible, these words : " In witnes
wherof, wee hing to our sealles at Peebles in

* This seems to be a various edition of the popular rhyme af-
firmed to have been inscribed above the representation of the
knight and monster on Linton church.

THE SOMERVILLS* 65

Iweeddale ;" and indeed for the sealles them-
selves wee should have been as little the wiser,
in regard the impressione of the armes is quite
worne out, soe that this evidence should have
served for nothing as to any light wee could have
had from it, if the same had not in the bodie
therof borne both ther names and designationes
very distinctly, and that which is most legible in
this contract, which at present is in the custo-
die of the Kerrs of Lintoune, and is weill keept
by them, being one of the eldest evidences with-
in the shyre of Roxburgh, or probably on this
syde of the watter of Forth, of that nature.

The marriage of this lady brought the sirname
of Somervill first to Clidsdaill, and got the bar-
rones of Lintoune the right of proppertie on
that shyre, she being heires of the villages and
lands of Newbigging, the which, at that tyme,
was neither a barronie of itself, nor yet included
within that of Carnwath, the same not being
erected into one, as to the best of my informa-
tione, untill the later end of the reigne of King
Robert the Bruce. But now it may be enquyred
what sirname this gentlewoman was of, with
whom William, Barrone of Lintoune, marry ed ?
for seing in contract they are only named Wal-
ter of Newbigging, and Margaret, daughter and

E

66 MEMORIE OF

appearand heir to Walter of Newbigging, by
which designation wee are yet to seek for ther
true sirnames, unless wee believe they wer New-
biggings to ther name, which undoubtedly was
true ; but ther is some objects against this, and
gives these reasones for it ; First, that in all writs
and evidents extant at this day, wherin parties
and witnesses are insert, if ther name, house, and
lands, bear the same name, they are ever de-
signed in that writt or evidence of that ilk, which
forme of wry tting continues untill this very day.
The second reason is, they alleadge ther is non
of the sirname of Newbigging knoune at this
present tyme, which makes them doubt whether
or not ther lies been any such of that name, for
it is certane ther is noe sirname that ever was in
Scotland soe extinguished, but that ther is some
of high or low degree to be found of the same
sirname, with a litle variatione, as could be in-
stanced in several sirnames now in Scotland.
The third and last reasone wherby they would
allmost perswad us that ther was never any such
sirname is, that, notwithstanding all the bookes
of hcrauldrie belonging to the Lyon King of
Armes lies been searched, they have not found
the name or armes of Newbigging, albeit it be
certane that all the ancient armes of any sirname
in Scotland is to be found there.

THE SOMERVILLS. 67

These reasones, in my opinione, are of noe
moment ; the first being frivolous, that the omis-
sione of a wrytter or nottar, in the poynt of a
designatione, should have any weight as to a
man's not being of the same name with his house
or lands. And as for the second reasone, it is a
grosse mistake, ther being yet of the sirname of
the Newbiggings existant at this very day. For
the third reasone, which appeares soe convince-
ing, wee have late experience of the fallacie ther-
of in the book of herauldrie, written by Sir
George M'Kenzie, wherin is omitted severall sir-
names that are of great antiquitie in this king-
dome, such as Gillchrists, Lennox, Lome, Halli-
days, Weirs, Warrock, Herrings, Libbertounes,
Penniecookes, Fairlies, Falles, Telphers, and the
sirname of Somervill, and very many others, which
certanely are known not only to be of great an-
tiquitie, but severalls of them to have been noble
families in Scotland, and ther sirnames existing
at this present ; now wer it not ridicolus for any
man to alleadge that ther is not, nor wer not any
such sirname, because Sir George M'Kenzie hes
omitted, or out of prejudice hes neglected to
give these sirnames a place in his book of he-
rauldrie ? But whatever may be in this, of the be-
ing or not being of the sirname of Newbigging, I

68 MEMORIE OF

shall not farther contend, but take it for granted,
as it is certane they have been persones in that
age of good qualitie and respect, that this gentle-
man marryed with him, and that his sone in the
following generatione was better knoune by the
designatione of Newbigging then Lintoune.

But now ther comes a questione of greater
difficultie to resolve : How the toune and lands
of Newbigging returned to that sirname again ?
as wee find they wer by charter granted by Tho-
mas Somervill, Barrone of Carnwath, and the
first Lord Somervill, to and in favours of Wil-
liam Newbigging, designed his cussing, by which
we understand the proppertie of that land at the
tyme to belong to the Newbiggings, and from
them, in the next age, to be in the hand of the
Livingstones of Jerviswood, and the next gene-
ratione after that, the third of the proppertie of
the same land to belong to Hugh Lord Somer-
vill, first of that name, who left them, with seve-
rall lands, to Hugh Somervill of Spittell, his
youngest sone; all these severall convoyances
wee are utterly ignorant of, and therfore can
give noe account of the same, either from our
owne papers, or any other evidences belonging
to other gentlemen that wee have yet seen, and
therfore I leave it to a farther discovery, and re-

THE SOMEItfiLLS. 69

turn to the gentleman whose memorie I have in
hand, who, being still at court, and in the same
imployment his father had in the service of
this king, liveing in much reputatione in the
countrie, haveing the favour of his prince, Alex-
ander the Second, and was honoured to be one
of his retinue when he went to France, and re-
newed the ancient band, that nether of the
princes should receive the enemies of the others
realmes, nor marry with any stranger, the one
not making the other privie therto.

Much about this tyme dyed Jean Queen of 123a>
Scotland, without any successione ; therfore, the
next year the king marryes with Mary, daugh-
ter to Inglaram Earle of Cowsie, a lady of great
beauty, whom his majestie receaved at his castle
of Roxburgh, haveing most of the nobilitie and
barrones in the south attending upon him ;
amongst others, William, Barrone of Lintoune,
was remarkeable, because of his dexteritie in
tilting and exercise, much in use in that age, be-
cause of the usefullness of that weapon in the
tyme of warr.

Alexander the Second dying, his son Alexan- 124>9.
der the Third succeeded in the year of Christ
1249, being at his coronatione but nyne years
of age. Some sex years eftir that, the Kings of

■

70 MEMORIE OF

England and Scotland, with ther barrones, con-
veened in York, where King Hendrie the Third
of England's daughter, named Margaret, was
marryed to King Alexander, being but in the
sexteinth year of his age. William, Barrone of
Lintoune, because of his place, was one of that
1256* honourable company that attended his majestic,
and was present at that great solemnitie, as be-
ing a gentleman whose predecessors for several
generationes had been of English extractione ;
and at that very tyme his cussing, Rodger de So-
merey, was a great favoritie of King Hendrie's,
and his oune elder brother, of eminent rank, pos-
sessing many barronies and lordships, both in
the south, west, and north of England, left to
him partly by his predecessors, but exceedingly
increased by his marrying Isobella de Merley,
the daughter and co-heir of Sir Rodger de Mer-
ley, a great barrone in Northumberland, in
whose right he possessed a great inheritance
there. This solemnitie being over, and his ma-
jestie returned, willing to execute justice, he
summoned the Earle of Monteith, Atholl, and
Buchan, with the Lord of Strabogie, which wer
then all of the sirname of Cumming& \These
noblemen, not compearing, wer denounced re-
belles ; wherupon they, with ther assistances,

THE SOMErVILLS. 71

surprized the king, and imprisones him in Stir-
ling, a certane space from which ; at lenth his
majestie being releaved, whether by pactione or
force it is uncertane, for the authors of our his-
tories are silent herein. The king was engad-
ged in a more dangerous warr by Ancho King of
Norrowayes comeing into the isles with many
Daines, against whom King Alexander marches
with a great armie ; and, eftir a long and cruell
battell, obtained at lenth a famous victorie, leave-
ing twentieth and four thousand of his enemies
dead upon the place : this was the last expedi-
tione and service wherin William, Barrone of
Lintoune, accompanied his royall master, being
then, as may be supposed, about the sextieth.
year of his age, if wee calculate from his father's
death, and his own entrie to the estate in the
year 1230.

As to the year of this gentleman's death, nor 1280.
the age he was of at the tyme, wee conclude no-
thing, nor of his particular actings have wee any
certanety, more nor what is related, only it may
be supposed he was dead before the year' 1280,
because wee find him not mentioned at that
tyme in the transactione that was betwixt his
sone Sir Walter de Somervill and Sir David
Barclay, whose sister he marryed ; what children

72 MEMORIE OF

he had with his Lady Margaret Newbigging, be*
syde his eldest son Sir Walter mentioned in Wal-
lace his book, and William, to whom he gave a
ten merk land within the barronie of Lintoune,
is altogither unknoune, for Sir Walter, his eldest
sone, succeeded to his father and his fortune,
both in the south and west : as for this worthie
gentleman, he dyed some fyfteinth or sexteinth
years before his eldest brother Robert, Lord
of Whichenour, and lyes buryed at Lintoune
church, which was the ordinary buriall place for
the Barrones of Lintoune, untill the building of
the collegiat church of Carnwath, by Thomas,
the first Lord Somervill, in or about the year
of Christ 1424, which became then, and eftir-
ward, the ordinary buriall place of the Lords So-
mervills untill the year 1602.

Off Rodger, the fourth of that Name, the eight
Barrone or Lord of Whichenour in England.

Haveing finished the memories of the two
brethren, Robert and William, the elder whereof
out-lived the younger sexteinth years, wee come
now to write of his sone Rodger, the fourth of
that name, and eight Barrone or Lord of Whiche-

THE SOMERVILLS. 73

nour ; but because I have non of the evidences
of that house in my custody, I have keeped ex-
actly with the author of the English Antiquities,
and given you ther words in the wholl narratione
of the foirgoeing memories relating to the house
of Whichenour, as any may observe that will be
pleased to peruse that author.

Rodger, sone to Robert, in the twentieth and
third year of Edward the First, was in the Scot-
tish warrs j wherupon, in the parliament held the
next ensueing year, he petitioned to have allow-
ance for his service done in that expeditione,
haveing then been in the retinue of Hendrie de
Peircie, and marched from Carlile to Berwicke
by the command of Prince Edward.

In the eight year of Edward the Second, he
receaved command to goe to Newcastle-upon-
Tyne upon the festival of the blessed Virgin's as-
sumptione, weill fitted with horses and armes to
resist the incursione of the Scots ; and in the
sexteinth year of Edward the Second he was
constitute sherreff of Yorkshyre, and governour
of the castle of York. This Rodger left issue,
Rodger, his son and heir, whose memorie wee
shall give eftir that wee have written of his cus.-
sing, Sir Walter of Ncwbigging and Lintoune.

74 MEMORIE OF

1280. Off Sir Gualter de Somervill, the third of that
Name, the third Bar rone of Lintoune, the Jirst
of Newbigging, the eight from Sir Gualter de
Somervill of Whichenour in England,

Alexander the Third being in the threttieth or
threttieth and one year of his reigne, and the
country in perfect peace, the nobilitie and
gentrie offen frequented the court; amongst
others Sir Walter of Newbigging and Lintoune,
being a brave and noble young gentleman, for
the most part, both before and eftir his father's
death, attended the same, being in favour with
Alexander the Third, by whom he was knight-
ed, at the tyme when his sone, Prince Alexan-
der, was marryed upon the Earle of Flanders
daughter att Roxburgh castle. The solemnitie
of that marriage being over, Sir Walter returnes
to the tour of Lintoune, then his ordinary resi-
dence, untill the king's goeing north, and then
attended his majestie in that progresse, wherby
he had the acquaintance of Sir David Barclay,
whose sister, Effie Barclay, he the same year
marryed in anno 1282; as maybe conjectured
from a band of mandrey* (for a contract of mar-

* A band of manrent was an engagement to rise in arms at

THE SOMERVILLS. 75

i

riage, or any other evidence relating to this af-
fair, wee have non extant) betwext Sir Walter
and Sir David, wherin, besydes ther ordinarie
designation e of Newbigging and Towie, they are
called brethren in law. It is from the mutuall
band, or contract, of mandrey, that we have any
light, either of the person to whom, or the tyme
about which Sir Walter of Newbigging wasmar-
ryed, therefore I think it not amisse to insert the
same in this gentleman's memorie, because of its
antiquitie. The band followes : —

" Be it kend till all men be thir present letters, 12S1
me, Sir Walter of Newbigging, and me, Sir Da-
vid of Towie, for all the dayes of our ly ves to be
obleidged and bound be the faith of our bodies
and thir present letters in mandred, and sworne
counsell as brothers in law, to be with one an-
other in all actiones, causes, and quarrills per-
taineing to us, both in peace and in warr, against
all that lyves and dyes, excepting our alleadge-
ance to our soveraigne lord the king. In witnes
of the whilk thing, and of ther present letters,
wee have hung to our scalles att Aberdean, the
twentieth day of Apryle, the year of God, 1281,

the call of the person to whom it was granted. These obliga-
tions were very common in Scotland. The word is variously
-spelled, manrent, manrcd, raanrcden, and moraden.

76* MEMORTE OF

before ther witnesses, William Somervill, our
brother, and John Somervill and Thomas Stel-
feir." To this band of mandrey is appended two
sealles, very legible and knowne, for the Somer-
vills and Barclayes differed nothing from what
they are at present, save a little in the placeing
of the armes. What this John Somervill, here
mentioned as a witness, was, I find not, nor can-
not understand, unles he hes been either a law-
full begotten or natural sone of William, Bar-
rone of Lintoune, or his father's, for at this tyme
ther was noe others of that sirname in Scotland,
WThat this gentleman's particular actings wer
dureing the reigne of Alexander the Third and
eftir, untill the tyme that that unhappie warr
fell out which involved our natione in a chaos of
confusione, and allmost extinguished the memo-
ries of these tymes, persones, and circumstances3
whereby wee might have had any knowledge of
ther actiones for the future, soe ther is nothing
of this gentleman upon record but what is all-
ready related, untill the peace of the country
was at first interrupted in the year 1286, or, as
some authors have it, 1285. By Alexander the
Third's being pitiefully taken away by a fall from
his horse over the west craig of Kinghorne, with-
out any issue of his bodie alyve, in him the

THE SOMERVILLS. 77

wholl posteritie of his father, Alexander the Se-
cond, and grandfather, William, sirnamed the
Lyon, being extinguished, the right of the croune
fell to the heirs of David, Earle of Huntingtoune
and Carrick, youngest brother to William the
Lyon, as you may read at lenth in our chroni-
cles.*

The seven years governments of the sex re- 1292-
gents being out, and Balioll, by a private com-
pact with King Edward the First of England,
established upon the throne of Scotland in anno
1291, or rather in a?ino 1292, which is more pro-
bable, if wee make our calculationes right ac-
cording to some forgoeing circumstances ob-
serveable in the wrytters of these tymes, which
bring Balioll either a year too sone, or a year
too late, to the croune, as you may observe in
the author of the Abridgement of the Scots
Chronicles, who places him not untill the year

* Upon the death of Alexander was composed the rude
dirge,—

When Alexander our king was dead,
Who Scotland led in luve and le,
Awawas sonce of ale and bread,
Of wine and wace, of gam and gle ;
Christ born into virginity,
Succour pour Scotland, and remew
That stad is in perplexitie*

78 MEMORIE OF

1 2'J3, which is, as I understand, a year too long ;
for its knowne the peace of our natione was
quyte broke in the year 1296, and that author
makes Balioll to reigne four years, and then to
be expelled by Edward the First, and sent into
France, where he dyed long eftir in exile.*
1296. Balioll being removed, Edward King of Eng-
land, by the strong hand, takes possessione of
the kingdome of Scotland, and is crouned at
Scoon, having many of the greatest noblemen
in Scotland vassalles and feudaries to him for
many lands which they held in England, partly
for great service done to him and his father Hen-
drie the Third, partly also by interchange of
marriages and successione betwext the two na-
tiones, which for a long tyme had lived in per-
fect amitie and peace, as it had been one king-
dome, but became now brocken by King Ed-
ward's cruell oppressiones, and destroying the
wholl ancient monuments of our natione, dure-
ing all which broyles ther happened great alter-
ations both in the general state of this king-
dome, and in the overthrow of and advance-

* Our author is here right in his conjecture. John Baliol
wa6 crowned at Scone on St Andrew's day, 30th Nov. 129?,
(W. Hemingford, I. 37.) and did homage to Edward for his
kingdom at Newcastle, upon the 26th of December following.

THE SOMERVILLS. 7$

ment of particular families : the first for betray-
ing, the second for maintaineing ther countries
freedome and wellfare, amongst which number,
Sir Walter of Newbigging and his two sones, Sir
David and Sir John. The first of these gentle-
men was knighted by Alexander the Third, and
the last by King Robert the Bruce, eftir he came
to the croune of Scotland ; all of them wer no-
ble assertors of ther countries libertie, and con-
stant adherers to the Brucean partie, as is evi-
dent from the histories of these tymes, particu-
larly that of Wallace and King Robert the
Bruce's Bookes ; we find Sir Gualter of Newbig-
ging, with his sone Sir David, had the honour
to command the third bragad of horse at the bat-
tell of Biggar, which was fought in the later end
of May, 1297, wherin both the father and the
sone behaved themselves very worthilie. This
battell being the first of any moment that Wal-
lace gained, wherin Edward King of England
the First being present himself, receaved a not-
table overthrow, and Wallace soe much honour,
that at a counsell held at the kirk of Foresse, he
was choysen warden of Scotland, wherin he be-
haved himself very worthilie by his conduct and
valour, with very small assistance acting won-
ders, to the admiratione of that age, and to all

1

SO MEMORIE OF

succeeding generationes. He continued in that
imployment, with great honour and advantage
to his countrie, untill the envy and emulatione
of the Balioll and Gumming factione stirred up
the generalise of the nobilitie against him, which
made him resigne his wardenship at Saint John-
stoune ; these passages I passe over with my ac-
customat brevitie, seing they are soe fully spock-
en to by all our authors.

Eftir the battell of Biggar, wherin Sir Walter
of Newbigging and his sone Sir David was ho-
noured with soe great command, and therin act-
ed for ther countries freedome, notwithstanding
they knew very weill that they themselves was
lately of English extractione, and in that very
battell ther cussing-german, Rodger, Lord of
Whichenour, stood in oppositione against them,
being then honoured by King Edward the First
with the command of a regiment in the English
armie that fought against them that day, as ef-
tirwards shall appear when we give his memorie.
We find nothing of Sir Walter, and his sone Sir
David, more in any author upon record, nor yet
is ther any privat evidence remaining that I know
to informe us of ther particular actings farther
nor what is allready related, neither can wee
come to the knowledge whether Sir Walter or his

THE SOMERVILLS. 81

sone, Sir David, dyed first, and to which of the
two, father or sone, John, Barrone of Lintoune
and Newbigging, and the first of Carnwath, se-
cond sone to this Sir Walter, entered heir. All
these severall circumstances, the exact years of
ther deaths, and the particular place of ther bu-
rialls, through the confusione and iniquitie of
that tyme, hes buryed all in perpetuall oblivione,
only we find that, counting from the band of
mandrey betwext Sir Walter and Sir David Bar-
clay in anno 1280, until! the battell of Biggar,
1297, ther is sextienth years in which this gen-
tleman was in actione, and certanely, if wee had
missed these two foregoeing circumstances, wee
should hardly been able to have given any ac-
count of this worthie gentleman's memorie,
which haveing now finished, before we come to
speak of his second sone, Sir John, the fourth
Barrone of Lintoune and Newbigging, and first
of Carnwath, wee will observe our ordinary me-
thode in relating the life of Sir Rodger Somer-
vill, the fyfth of that name, the nynth Lord or
Barrone of Whichenourin England, grand-childe
to Robert, who was grand-uncle to John, Bar-
rone of Carnwath.

MEMORIE OF

Of Rodger, thefyfth of that Name, the nynthLord
or Barrone of Wlrichenour in England.

Before wee give the memorie of Sir John, de-
signed of Clidsdale, the first Barrone of Carnwath,
and fourth of Lintoune, it's fitt wee observe our
ordinary progresse dureing the continuance of
the heirs male of the house of Whichenour ; ha-
ving already written the memorie of Rodger, the
fourth of that name, and eight Lord of Which-
enour, wee come to treat of his sone Rodger, the
fyfth of that name, and nynth Lord of Whiche-
nour ; and herein also I shall observe my former
methode, and give you what is to be said of this
noble gentleman in the authors oune words.

This Rodger (speaking of Rodger the fourth)
left issue, Rodger his sone and heir, who being a
knight in the first year of King Edward the Third,
was in the warrs of Scotland that year, and of the
retinue of Thomas Lord Wrake of Liddell, soe
likewayes in the seventh year of Edward the
Third, but all that I can farther say of him is,
that he gave the admissione of the church of
Staingtoune to the monkes of Newmonster, juxta
Morpeth, in the countie of Northumberland. And
haveingbeen summoned to the parliament, to witt,

THE SOMERVILLS. 83

nobilitat, and made ane peer of England amongst
the barrones of this realme in the first year of
Edward the Third, but no more. Departed this
life the fyfteinth of the calends of February, in
the tenth year of the reigne of Edward the Third,
and was buryed at Burtoune, in the countie of
Eber, leaving Sir Philip de Somervill, Knight, his
brother and heir, fyftieth years of age, who there-
upon doeing his homage had levery of his lands.

Of John, the second of that Name, the Jour th Bar-
rone of Lintoune and Newbigging, the first
Barrone of Carnwath, and the nynth from Sir
Gualter de Somervill, Lord of Whichenour in
JLngland.

Sir Gualter and Sir David his eldest sone being 1306.
dead some tyme before King Robert the Bruce
was crouned at Scoon, the barronie of Lintoune
and lands of Newbigging falls to John, second
sone to Sir Walter and brother to Sir David;
which of the two, father or sone, dyed first, and to
whom of them John Barrone of Carnwath enter-
ed heir, his father or brother, wee cannot tell, ther
being nothing from the year 1296 to the year
1314, but slaughter, burneing and ruineing the

84 MEMORIE OF

principall houses and families of both parties.
The Balion and Brucean factiones still contend-
ing, and the Kings of England takeing ther ad-
vantages to destroy both, and secure the king-
dome of Scotland to themselves, which they often
attempted dureing the space of eighteinth or
nyneteinth years, sometymes with good, and at
other tymes with bad successe, as may be knowne
from the histories of that age, who tell us plainly,
that ther was not one familie in all Scotland that
suffered not more or lesse in that universall de-
ludge that sweept away many families and names
that now wee have not, and of uthers left us no-
thing to the purpose but the bare remembrance
of ther being, and some pettie circumstances
scarce worthie the nameing ; for so great was the
malice of Edward the First, that his endeavours
tended to noe lesse then to extinguish the very
memorie of our being a natione. What may then
be expected from the year 1296 to the year 1300,
or rather unto the year 1366, some ten years
before King David Bruce dyed, as to the know-
ledge of these tymes, I leave it to any rationaU
man to conjecture. However, as in the darkest and
cloudyest nights ther appeares now and then the
twinklings of a star wherby a man may direct his
course to some airth, soe in this blacknes of our

THE SOMERVILLS. 85

countries afflictione wee are not altogither left
without the remembrance of some mens memo-
ries who acted in the behalf of ther king and
countryes interest, wherof John Barrone of Lin-
toune and Carnwath made one. This gentleman
was neer to mans state much about the tyme
of his father Sir Walter's death, who had not been
wanting to informe him of the miserable condi-
tione of his native country, through the op-
pressione of English, and the difference anent the
successione to the croune, which gave the first
occasione and opportunitie for them soe to en-
slave the natione. He shewed him that Balioll
being fallen from the croune (as weill as from
the favour of his subjects) by his unworthie trans-
actione with Edward the First, the right of suc-
cessione remained in Robert the Bruce ; there-
fore, as soon as God should give opportunitie, he
charged his sone, as he tendered the honour and
favour of his prince, the peace and freedome of
his country, the happynes and prosperitie of his
oune familie, and that estate whereunto he had
fallen in Clidsdale by his grand-mother, that he
should with the first attend the kings comeing
to Scotland, and proffer his service, life, and for-
tune to his majestie, as a faithfull and duetyfull
subject was obleidged to doe. This command of

86 MEMORIE OF

his father he punctually observed, for noe sooner
did King Robert appear (Wallace being betray-
ed by Sir John Monteith and martyred at Lon-
don, in anno 1306,) but immediately he joyned
with the king, as is evident from the first and se-
cond pages of the histories of that king's reigne,
and was still with him untill the battell at Meth-
vin-wood neer St Johnstoune,1 where, with other

1 Barbour enumerates Soroerville among the other patriot
nobles who adhered to Bruce's standard when it was first dis-
played :—

The King Robert wyst he wer thair,
And quhat kyn chyftanys with him war,
And assemblyt all his mengye ;
He had feyle off full gret bounte,
Bot thair fayis wer mar than thai,
Be fifteen hundred, as I've hard say.
The quhene he had thair, at that ned,
Full feill that war douchty of deid ;
And barownys that was bauld as bar ;
Twa Erles alsua with hym war,
Of Lenyvax and Atholl war thai ;
Eduuard the Brwyse was thar alsa,
Thomas Randall, and Hew de le Hay,
And Schyr David the Berclay,
Fresale, Summinvile, and Inchmertyn ;
James of Dowglas thair wis syne,
That yheyit than wis bot litill of mycht :
And other fele folk forsye in fycht,
Bot I cannot tell quhat thai hycht.

Booke II. line 225.

THE SOMERVILLS. 87

persones of qualitie, it was his misfortune to be
taken prisoner, and obleidged to the will and
pleasure of the victores for saveing his life to pro-
mise feaity with the rest of the prisoners to the
King of England, in which conditione he remain-
ed untill the king's better fortune freed him and
others from this extorted engadgement. Ther is
one thing I must take notice of as propper in
the place, that during his abode at Methvin, he
had the acquaintance and was familiar with the
keeper of Methvin-woods daughter, who bore to
him a natural sone named John, whose posteritie
remains there as fosters of that wood untill this
day, haveing no other inheretance but a house
and two aikers of land as ther allowance for that
service.

The year 1314 being come in which, upon the 1314.
twentieth and one day of June, King Edward the

Somerville is again mentioned amongst the prisoners made
by the English, after the Bruce was defeated at Methvin : —

Schyr Thomas Randall thair wis tane,
That then wis a young bacheler ;
And Schyr Alexander Fraseyr;
And Schyr David the Breklay,
Inchmertyne, and Hew de le Hay,
And Sominveil, and othyr ma.

B. II. I 405.

83 MEMORIE OF

Second was encountered at Bannockburne by
King Robert the Bruce, and eftir long and hard
fighting his great armie was put to the rout, him-
self with a small company fleeing into Dumbar,
was sent by the Earle of March into England in
a fisher boat, leaveing many of his nobles and
gentlemen killed and taken by the Scots.

1317. This victory freed Scotland from the English
bondage, and gave them not only opportunitie to
make divers incursiones upon the English to re-
quyte the harmes receaved from them before, but
also leasure to look eftir ther privat affaires, which
had been quyte out of order and litle mynded
for threttieth years preceeding, but now every
man began to setle himself and his fortune ac-
cording as he was able by his industrie or interest
at court, wherein John, Barrone of Lintoune, as
forward and fortunat as the best, haveing about
this tyme marryed Elizabeth Douglas, daughter
to James Douglas of Loudonhill, Kinnoull, Carn-
wath, and Calderclear, with whom he receaved
in tocher, the toune and lands of Carnwath, eftir-
ward with the lands of Newbigging erected into
a barronie, to hold ward by King Robert the

1320. Bruce, in anno 1320, eftir which, and his father-
in-laws death, for the most part he made his re-
sidence in Clidsdale, haveing built the double

THE SOMERVILLS. 89

tour in Carnwath toune, (the residence now of
the present Earles of Carnwath,) where he dwelt,
Cowthally castle then, as most of the pettie
strengths in Scotland wer for the most part burnt
or demolished by the iniquitie of the tymes.

Sir John, being now father to four sones, James, 1329.
Walter, David, and John, and two daughters,
which Lady Elizabeth Douglas had borne to him,
he lived in peace untill the year 1 329, and the
year 1331, in which the two dyed, both King
Robert the Bruce and '1 nomas Randell, Earle
of Murray, Governour of Scotland, eftir whom
Patrick, Earle of March, and David, Earle of
Murray, being choysen governours, the civill
warrs was renued by Edward Balioll, sone to
John Balioll, umquill King of Scotland, being
assisted with the forces of Edward the Third
King of England, of a sudden he prevailles soe
far that, haveing taken the toune of Perth, he is
crouned there in the year 1332. Wherupon en-
sued as great warrs and as destructive as ever.
The kingdome, nobilitie and gentrie, being again
devyded betwext the Bruceon and Ballion par-
ties dureing the minoritie of King David Bruce,
which continued untill the year 1 338, and some
tyme eftir, with various successe, sometyme the
one partie prevailing, and then the other, untill

90 MEMORIE OF

at lenth the Ballion factione was subdued, and
himself taken out of the kingdome by Edward
the Third, and shortly thereftir David, King of
Scotland, in anno 1342, with his queen, returnes
out of France, holds a parliament, and gratifies
these of the nobilitie, barrones, and gentlemen
that had adhered to his oune and his fathers in-
terest ; but his royall bountie was fatal to non
but Alexander Ramsay of Dalhoussie, who ha-
ving done many exployts in favours of his prince
and country, especially his takeing the castle of
Roxburgh, in Tiviotdale, which the king confer-
red upon Ramsay as keeper, and withall the
shirefship of Tiviotdale, which soe incensed Wil-
liam Douglas, Lord of Lidisdaill, that within
three months efter Ramsay's installment, the
Lord Lidisdaill surprizes him in Hawick exer-
ciseing his office of shirefship, killes three of his
men, wounds himself when he was looking for
noe such thing, and being his prisoner, puts him
in the Hermetage, where he was sterved to death,
ane actione alltogither unworthie of the doer and
receaver of that injurie ; but what will not re-
venge, and some few punctilioes of slighted ho-
nour and supposed great deservings, prompt even
gallant men unto ? for such undoubtedly was this
William Douglas, Lord of Lidesdale, called in

10

THE SOMERVILLS. 91

that age the Flower of Chevallry. But passing
this and the materiall occurrances of that tyme,
wherein the histories of the Douglasses is copious
enough as to every punctilio and circumstance
that might advance the glory of the Douglasses,
which undoubtedly both then and untill the reign
of King James the Second deserve very weill at
the hands both of ther princes and country, for
the many noble exploytes by them performed,
especially dureing the tyme of this king's mino-
ritie, and eftirward, as you may read at large in
the historie of that familie. Amongst others that
was partakers of the kings favour, Sir John So-
mervill, Barrone of Lintoune, obtaines a ratifica-
tione of the lands of Carnwath, which he had
gotten by his lady. This interest gave ground
and occasione to that designatione he hes in se-
verall papers which I have seen, to be called Sir
John of Clidsdale, being at that tyme (abstract-
ing from the Douglasses) one of the principall
men in that country, next to Sir Andrew Murray,
that was twice governor of Scotland, on whom
Sir John Somervill depended, and was with him
in the most of his expeditiones. This Sir Andrew
Murray1 had a great interest upon Clyde, but

1 Sir Andrew Murray of Bothwell was for some time war-
den of Scotland, and gallantly supported the cause of David

92 MEMORIE OF

where these lands lay in that shyre I find not
upon record, but1 the barronie of Both well, which
eftirward the Douglasses gott by marrying the
daughter of this Sir Andrew Murray, that was
twice governor of Scotland. Ther was also one
Magnus Mowbray, designed Lord of Clidesdale,
who commanded the fourth squadrone at the
seidge of Saint Johnstoune, in anno 1 339- But
what this man was, or where his estate lay upon
Clyde, I find not in any author, being only named
in the historie of the Douglasses.

In the year 1 346', upon the seventienth day of
October, was William, the tenth Barrone or Lord
of Douglas, created Earle,* some few, hours before
that unfortunatbattellof Durehamewas foughten,

Bruce. Winton records him as the best knight in Scotland
after the death of Robert the Bruce.

Schyre Andrew of Murraye gud and wicht,
That was a bald and a stowt knycht,
That nane better was in his day
Fra the gud Kyng Robert wes away.

1 i. e. be out, except-

2 This is an error, which occasions Lord Hailes's observation,
that the Scots are reformed from popery, but not from the fa-
bles of Hector Boece. Lord Douglas, son of the celebrated
Tineman, was at this time in France, and did not return till
1348. William Douglas, the celebrated knight of Liddesdale,
was one of the Scottish leaders at the battle of Durham, and
was there made prisoner.

THE SOMERVILLS. 93

wherein the king with severall of his nobilitie was
taken prisoners and many killed of eminent rank,
amongst which James, eldest sone and appearand
heir to John, Barrone of Carnwath, being then
in the twentieth and sixth year of his age, was
one of that number ; this sad stroake made his
father the same year contract Walter, now his
eldest sone, upon Janet Preston, daughter to Sir
Thomas Preston, eldest sone and appearand heir
to Sir Laurence Preston, laird of Craig Miller.
This gentleman, Sir Thomas Preston, with seve-
rall other persones of qualitie, was killed at the
stormeing and takeing of the toune of Berwick ;
Sir William Douglas, and Sir David Ramsay of
Dalhousie, in the year ensuing, 1 347.' Being that
year wherein this worthie gentleman dyed, he
setles his other two sones, David and John, in the
west. To David he gave the lands of Black-
castle, neer to Biggar, and to John the third of
Newbigging, which efter this John dispones in fa-
vours of his eldest brother, Sir Walter, upon his
marrying one Katharine Halliday, the heiresse of
Mophit, or some lands neer by it. His eldest

1 The capture of the town of Berwick is dated by Lord
Hailes, after Fordun, in 1355.

94 MEMORIE OF

daughter was marryed to Sir John Sandelands of
Calder, who was father to Sir James, that marry-
ed Uterin, or, as our wrytters calles her, Eleonora
Defries, half sister to William, the first Earle of
Douglas, who gave her, as sayes the history of
Douglas, noe lesse then the barronie of West
Calder, for her and her heirs whatsomever ; for
his youngest daughter she was marryed upon Sir
Laurence Baird, of Posso in Tweeddale ; thus
wee see this noble gentleman to have provyded
all his sones with competent fortunes, and to have
marryed his daughters honourably ; for himself
dureing all the dayes of his life he was a constant
follower of King Robert the Bruce, and ane ad-
herer to his sone King David's interest when it
was in the most desperate condition. Witnes his
casting up a quantitie of earth of his lands upon
the south-west of Cam wathtoune, which makeing
a litle hill, 'tis called yet omnis terra. This was
the custome of these tymes, by which homage
they that held the King of Scotland supreme un-
der God wer distinguished from the Balion party,
or such as owed any homage to the King of Eng-
land.' By this worthie gentlemans still adhereing

* Of such a custom I believe we will find no other trace than
the averment in the text. The little mound is still visible at

THE SOMERVILLS. 95

to the Brucean interest, he purchased much ho-
nour to himself and posteritie, secureing to them
a great estate in Roxburghshyre and Clidesdale,
which other men lost by endeavouring to uphold
and maintaine the Ballion factione. As this gen-
tleman was borne much about the tyme that the
warrs first begun betwext Scotland and England,
soe he dyed before ther was any expectatione
that they would cease ; King David being still
prisoner in England, in the year 1 347? of his oune
age sextieth and fyve or therby, for any calcula-
tione wee can make from his first appearing with
King Robert the Bruce at the battell at Methvin-
wood, in anno 1 306. He lyes buryed in the quier
of Lintoune church with his predecessors.

the west end of the village of Carnwath. It seems to have been
designed for a vault, having an opening on the top as if to de-
scend by a stair-case, but it is now choked up with rubbish.
It is surrounded by a ditch and mound, and was probably de-
signed as a cemetery. The name of omnis terra is borrowed
from the mote-hill at Scone, which is fabled to have been com-
posed at the period of the introduction of the feudal law into
Scotland, by each baron bringing thither a handful of the earth
of his lands in token of his surrendering them to the king to
receive a feudal investiture.

96" MEMORIE OF

Of Sir Philip de Somervill, the tenth Lord of
Whichenour, the last of the Male Lyne of that
House and Familie in England,

Being now to wryte of the last of the heirs
male of the house of Whichenour, I shall not
transgresse my former method, but proceed in
the words of my author, and relate what is to be
said of this nobleman, being the last male of this
familie except the house of Rodger de Somerey,
who was nephew to Rodger, the fyfth barrone of
Whichenour, but I proceed to Sir Philips me-
morie, the last male of the house of Whichenour.

Sir Philip at his age of fyftieth years succeed-
ed to his brother, Sir Rodger de Somervill, upon
the fyfteinth of the calends of February, 1337,
being the tenth year of the reigne of King Ed-
ward the Third, King of England ; of which Sir
Philip I find he was shirreff of the countie of
Buckingame and Bedfoord in the first of Edward
the Third, and held the manures of Whichenour,
Suseet, Reidware, Nethertoune, Conlencall, (in
the countie of StafFordshyre,) of the Earle of
Longcaster, (then lord of the honour of Testory,)
by these memorable services, which I have thought
fitt here to expresse at large from ane ancient roll

THE SOMERVILLS. 97

of* parchement written in the time of King Hen-
drie the Seventh, it being then a translatione put
in English from the lyke roll in France, in the
tyme of King Edward the Third, viz. by two
small ties, that is to say, when other tennents pay
for relieff ane wholl knights fie, ane hundreth
shillings, he the said Sir Philip shall pay but fyf-
tieth shillings, and when

Throughout the land or
for to make the eldest sone of the lord knight,
or for to marry the eldest daughter of the lord,
the said Sir Philip shall pay but the
of it that others shall pay, nevertheles the said Sir
Philip shall find, maintaine, and sustaine, ane ba-
con slyke" hinging in his hall at Whichenour,
ready arrayed all tymes of the year, but in Len-
trone, to be given to every man or woman marry-
ed eftir the day and year of the marriage be pass-
ed, and to be given to every man of religione,
archbishop, bishop, prior, or other religious per-
sone, and to every priest, eftir the year and day
of ther professione finished, or of ther dignitie, in
forme following, whensoever that any such be-
forenamed will come to enquyre for the bacon in

* This word has been inserted by another hand.

98 MEMORIE OF

ther oune persone, or by any other for them.
They shall come to the bailzie, or to the porter
of the lordship of Whichenour, and shall say to
them in the manner as followeth :

" Bailzie, or porter, I doe you to know that I am
come for myself (or, if he come for another, shew-
ing for whom) to demand one bacon slyke, hing-
ing in the hall of the Lord of Whichenour, eftir
the forme therunto belonging."

Eftir which relatione the bailzie, or porter, shall
assigne a day to him upon promise by his seith
to returne, and with him to bring tween of his
nightbours, and in the mean tyme the bailzie
shall take with him tween of his freeholders of
the lordship of Whichenour, and they three shall
goe to the manour of Rodlaw, belonging to Ro-
bert Knightlay, and they shall summon the said
Knightlay, or his bailzie, commanding him to be
ready at Whichenour the day appoynted at pryme
of the day with Ins carriage, that is to say, a horse
and a saddle, a seek and a prick, to convoy and
carry the said bacon and corne a jeurny out of
the county of StafFoordshyre at his costages, and
then the said bailzie shall with the said freehold-
ers summonds all the tennents of the said ma-
nour to be ready at the day appoynted at Whiche-
nour, to doe and performe the service which
they ow to the bacon ; and at the day appoynted

THE SOMERVILLS, 99

all such as ow service to the bacon shall be ready
at the gate of the manour of Whichenour from
the sun ryseing to the noon, attending and wait-
ing for the comeing of him that fetcheth the ba-
con, and when he is come in ther shall be dely-
vered to him and his fellowes chaplets, and to all
these that shall be there to doe ther service due
to the bacon, and they shall lead the said demand-
ant with trumpets and and other man-
ner of musicall seyes to the hall door, where he
shall find the Lord of Whichenour or his steward
ready to delyver the bacon in this manner.

He shall enquyre of him which demands the
bacon, if he hes brought twyne of his nightbours
with him, which must answer, They be here ready ;
and then the steward shall cause these two night-
bours to swear if the said demandant be a woded
man or have a man woded, and if since his mar-
riage ane year and day passed, and if he be a free
man or a villane, and if his said nightbours make
oath that he hath for him all these three poyntes
rehearsed, then shall the bacon be taken doune
and brought to the hall door, and shall there be
laid upon ane half quarter of wheat, and upon
another of rye, and he that demandeth the bacon
shall kneell upon his knee, and shall hold his right
hand upon a book, which book shall be laid above

100 MEMORIE OF

the bacon and the corne, and shall make oath in
this manner!

" Hear ye, Sir Philip de Somervillof Whichenonr,
mentainer and giver of this bacon, that I answear,
since I was weded be my wife, and since I had
her in my keeping and at my will by a year and
day eftir our marriage, I would not have changed
for non other, fairer nor fouller, nor richer nor
poorer, nor for non other descended of greater
lineage, sleeping nor wakeing at noe tyme, and
if the said before wer soil and seell, I would take
her to be my wife before all the women of the
world, of what conditione soever they be, good
or evill, as help me God and his saints, and this
flesh and all fleshes;" and his nightbours shall make
oath that they trust verily that he hes said truely ;
and if it be found by his nightbours aforenamed
that he be a freeman, then shall be delyvered to
him half a quarter of wheat and a cheese, and if
he be a villane, he shall have half a quarter of
rye without cheese, and then shall Knightlay,
Lord of Rodlaw, be called to carry all these things
before rehearsed, and the said corn shall be laid
upon ane horse and the bacon above it, and he
to whom the bacon appertaineth shall ascend
upon his horse, and shall take the cheese before
him, if he have a horse, and if he have non, the

THE SOMERVILLS. 101

Lord of Whichenour shall let him have ane horse
and a sadle at such tyme as he be passed his lord-
ship, and so they shall depart the manour of
Whichenour with the and the bacon before

him that hath win it, with trumpets to
and other and all the free tennents of

Whichenour shall conduct him till he be passed
the lordship of Whichenour, and then shall all
they returne except him to whom it appertaineth
to make the carriage and journey without the
countie of Staffoordshyre, at the castle of his Lord
of Whichenour ; and if the said Robert Knightlay
doe not cause the bacon and corne to be convoy-
ed as is rehearsed, the Lord of Whichenour shall
doe it be carryed, and shall distrinzie the said
Robert Knightlay for ane hundred shillings in
his manour of Rodlaw for his default, and shall
keep the distresse so taken.

Moreover the said Sir Philip holds of his lord
the Earle, the manour of Brideshall, by these ser-
vices, that such tyme his said lord holdeth his
Christmasse at Tuburty, upon Christmasse even,
the said Sir Philip shall come to Tuburty, by the
marshall of the earles house, and upon Christ-
masse day he himself, or some other knight his
deputy, shall goe to the dresser, and shall shew
to his lords messinger, and then shall he serve the

; -J.;!',!; \\r-.\y,

102 MEMORIE OF

same meat to his said lord, and this service shall
he doe as weill at supper as at dinner ; and when
his lord hes eaten, the said Sir Philip shall sit
doune in the same place where his lord sat, and
shall be served at his table by the same steward
of the earles house upon Saint Stephans day ;
when he hath dyned he shall take leave of the
lord and shall kisse him, and for his service he
shall nothing take nor nothing shall give, and all
these services eftir rehearsed the said Sir Philip
to doe by the space of eightein years and his ante-
cessors before him to his Lords Earles of Long-
caster.

Item, The said Sir Philip holdeth of his said
lord the earle his manours of Tatemhall and Dry-
cot, in perchandry, by these services, that the
said Sir Philip, or his acturny for him, shall come
to the castle of Tutbury, upon Saint Peters day
in August, which is called Lambasse, and shall
show the steward or receaver that he is come thi-
ther to hunt and to catch his lords geese at the cost-
age of his lord, wherupon the steward or receaver
shall cause a horse and sadle to be delyvered to
the said Sir Philip, at the pryce of fyftieth shil-
lings, or fyftieth shillings in money and ane hun-
dereth, and shall pay to the said Sir Philip every
day from the said day of Saint Peter to Holyrood

THE SOMERVILLS. 103

day, for himself two shillings and sexpennies a
day, and every day for his service and his bercel-
let dureing the said tyme twelve pence, and all
the wood-masters of the forrest of Needwood and
DufFeild, with all the parkers and forresters that
shall belong to the lords lander, commanding
them to convey it to the earles of Larden and
Akding, at Tutbury, and with the remanent the
said Sir Philip shall doe his pleasure ; and upon
Holyrood day the said Sir Philip shall returne to
the castle of Tutbury upon the said horse, with
his bercellet to the steward or receaver, and shall
kisse the porter and depart.

This Sir Philip Somervill gave the church of
Betton, in the county of Northumberland, with
certane lands in that parish, to Balioll Colledge
of Oxfoord, for the perpetuall mentinance of sex
schollars, there to be elected out of the tounes
neighbouring therto, but farther nor what is here
expressed.

I have not seen any thing memorable of him
but his death, which happened on the twentieth
and third day of January, and the twentieth and
nynth year of Edward the Third's reigne, he be-
ing then seased of the manour of Burcon An-
neisse, in Cumberland ; Eber Stocktoone, in Cum-
berland, neer Whichenour j Brideshall, Tanstall,

104 MEMORIE OF

Alrewas, and Newbold, in the county of Staffoord-
shyre, as also of the manour of Tatunhall, in the
same county, in right of Margaret his wife ; like-
wayes of the manours of Turneswall, Plesselyes,
Shoton, Benton Magna, and the moety of the
toune Staingtoune, in the county of Northumber-
land, and of the moety of the manour of Drety,
in the county of Livi, ■ haveing Jean, the wife of
Sir Kliesse of Greith, knight, one of his daugh-
ters, and Maude the wife of John Staflbord, by
Elizabethhis wife the other daughter, then' marry-
ed to Edmond, the sone of John Vernone his
next heir.

Soe for the author of the English Barronage,
to whom both the ancient and noble families of
England and some few in Scotland hes been
more obleidged then to all the historians that
wryte formerly ; for these takeing in hand the af-
fairs of church and state, in generall conceaved
themselves noe further interessed than to minde
and leave to posterity the more publict transac-
tiones of these tymes, and the principall persones
that wer actors therin, without takeing notice of
other men and ther families of as good qualitie
and opulent fortunes as these in place by the fa-

* Sic in origt * i. e. afterwards.

THE SOMERVILLS. 501

vour of the court, wherin they wer often imploy-
ed, nether to the honour of themselves nor advan-
tage of ther posteritie, as is observeable from the
histories of these tymes ; as for this author of the
English Barronage, he undertook a worke of
greater difficultie and more laborious, which was
impossible for him to make any progresse in with-
out the search of every privat nobleman or gen-
tleman's evidences as weill as the ancient scrolles
and records of antiquitie, wherby his indefatiga-
ble paines and industry, he hes brought to light
the memories of all the noble families of England,
ther originall ryse, progresse, greatness, continu-
ance, and dissolutione of such of them as are not
now in being, and that with the greatest faithfull-
nes and ingenuity imaginable, for which he de-
serves the perpetuall thankes of all the ancient
families in England and some in Scotland, wher-
of wee ought to contribute our share as much as
any from the foirgoeing memories, which now wee
have continued from the knowledge wee have
had from that worthie author, from our sirnames
first aryveall in Brittane, 1066*, to the year 1356*,
being the space of two hundereth and nynetieth
years, had. now its end in this nobleman, as to
the male lyne, but was transmitted by the mar-
riage of his daughter to two noble families, that

6

106' MEMORIE OF

of the Staffords and Vernon, both of them raised
to ther greatness by the additione of Sir Philip
de SomervilTs estate. The first of these families,
to witt, the Staffords, became Dukes of Buckin-
game, and suffered much in ther honour, persones,
and fortunes, in the bloody controversies betwext
the houses of York and Longcaster, as did Sir
Richard Vernon, grandchilde to Sir Philip de
Somervill by his youngest daughter. The which
Sir Richard was execute by Hendry the Fourth,
for adhereing to Richard the Second, King of
England, sone to Edward the Black Prince, un-
justly putt from his throne by the foirnamed
Hendry, designed of Ballingbrook, the sone of
John Duke of Longcaster, the fourth sone of King
Edward the Third, as may be read in the English
chronicles.

The house of Whichenour being now extinct,
and with it the sirname of the Somervills, out of
England, for any thing wee know or hes upon re-
cord, unless the familie of Rodger de Somerey
be yet in being, which was the only cadite I find
of the house of Whichenour in England, and
therfore, before I finish this discourse, I shall only
make two observations ; the first being, that dure-
ing two hundereth and nynetie years, the house
of Whichenour continued both before an eftir

THE SOMERVILLS. 107

they wer transmitted to Scotland, and readmitted
back again to England, by the good fortune of
Robert, Lord of Whichenour. I find not upon
record so much as one branch or cadite of that
familie in England, save one allready made men-
tione of, and yet the house of Lintoune and Cow-
thally in a far shorter tyme produced severall, as
may be seen in the foirgoeing progresse of these
houses ; my observe is, that it pleased the Almigh-
ty God by his good providence, much about the
same tyme or some few years before that the
house of Whichenour perished in England for
want of an heir male, to raise the house of Lin-
toune and Cowthally, in Scotland, of the same
noble stock, both to great honours and a great
estate, by the valour and industry of Sir John So-
mervill, the fourth barrone of Lintoune, who
dyed but nyne years before this Sir Philip de So-
mervill, Lord of Whichenour, whose memorie and
familie being now extinct, wee are obleidged to
confyne our discourse to the house of Lintoune
and Cowthally, and such as are descended from
them at present in the kingdome of Scotland.

JOS MEMORIE OP

Of Sir Walter, the fourth of that Name, thefyfth
Barrone of Lintoune, the second of Carnwath,
and the tenth from Sir Gauller de Somervill,
Lord of Whichenour, in England.1

The warrs still continuing from the year 1 346
to the year 1358, dureing all the tyme of King
David's captivitie, wherin ther is frequent men-
tione made by our historians of all or the most

1 Douglas places this Sir Walter Somerville as successor to
Thomas, about the year 1300. This, however, will not accord
with the remarkable events which preceded his marriage with
Giles Heryng of Gihnertoune. There may indeed have been
two bir Walters, and the circumstance may have led to the
author's mistake concerning Walter of Newbigging, whom, in
the case supposed, he may have confused with the first Sir
Walter Somerville, and so placed the succession of the latter
at too early a period. But there seems to be further proof of
a misnomer as to the Sir Walter of the text ; for certainly the
estate was about this time possessed by Sir Thomas Somerville, a
person, it would seem, of no small importance, as is proved by
the following circumstances :

First- Among the heirs of the principal nobles of Scotland,
who, in \o5\, were delivered into England as hostages for pay-
ment of the ransom of David II. we have Le Filz et Hoir [de]
Monsieur Thomas Somervile. — Rymer's Fcedera, v. p. 792.

Second. In letters of safe conduct from the King of England
to the Bishop of St Andrews, William of Douglas, and other

THE SOMERVILLS. 109

part of the principall noblemen and barrones that
stood for the countries interest, and defended ther
liberties with ther lyves and fortunes, recovering
the same at lenth out of the English hands in de-

Scottishmen of rank, dated 1362, we find the name of Thomas
Somervyl de Scotia. — Ibidem, p. 395.

Third. In 1363, we find a similar safe conduct, which shall
be given at length.

Pro quibusdam de Scotia ob devotionem in Angliam Venturis.

Rex, &c. Salutem. Ann. D. 1363. An. 37. E. 3.

Sciatis quod, Scot. 37. E. 3. m. 7.

Cum Thomas Somervill de Scotia Chivaler, ob Devotionem,
quam ad gloriosum Martirem Sanctum Thomam, dudum Ar-
chiepiscopum Cantuariensem, habet, Limina ejusdem Sancti
Martiris peregre visitare intendat, et ea de causa in Regnum
nostrum Angliae de Licentia nostra sit venturus.

Suscepimus, &c. ut in similis de Conductu Literis.

Dumtamen Equos alios, quam quos secum in Anglia duxerunt,
extra idem regnum non educant quovis modo.

In cujus, &c. usque ad Festum Sancti Michaelis, proximo
futurum, duraturas.

Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, vicesimo sexto die
Aprilis. Per Concilium.

Consimiles Literas Regis de Protectione habent subscript!*,
per idem tempus duraturas, sub eadem data ; videlicet,

Johann de Ros de Scotia, cum Duabis Personis Equitibus.

Hugo de Egelyngton de Scotia Chivaler, cum Tribus Personis
Equitibus.

Duncanus Waleys de Scotia Miles, cum Duobus Valettis et
Tribus Equis, usque ad Festum Nativitatis Sa?icti Johannis
Baptistce, proximo futurum, duraturas.

Patricius de Hibburn de Scotia, cum Sex Sociis Equitibus,
usque ad Festum Paschce, proximo Jutiirum} duraturas.

HO MEMORIE OF

spyte of all the interest that Edward Ballion could
make in his two attempts for the croune, with the
assistance of his friends and followers and the
help of England, wherin King Edward the Third
now and then served him in his oune persone,
but for his oune ends, as his grandfather did, John
Ballion, the father of this Edward, to make the
kingdome of Scotland his oune by conqueis.

These contendings and cydeings1 within the
kingdome still continueing, and the invasiones of
England, ther is noe mentione made of Sir Wal-
ter Somervill, barrone of Lintoune and Carnwath,
by any author that yet I have seen, which makes
me believe he hes had noe inclinatione to be ane
actor in the warrs, but hes been content to

Alexander Episcopus Abcrdenensis in Scotia, cum Duodecim
Personis Equitibus, usque ad Festum Natalis Domini, proximo
Juturum, duraturas.

Willielmus de Rothum de Scotia, cum Sex Equitibus, usque
ad Festum Pasckce, proximo Juturum, duraturas*

Fourth. There is yet another safe conduct in 1666, for Tho-
mas de Somervyle Miles cum quatuor socijs equitibus. — Ibid.
p. 498.

These repeated visits to England were probably of a political
as well as devotional tendency, ough the ostensible motive
was a pilgrimage to St Thomas of Canterbury.

Walter, who married Egidia Heryng, was probably the son
and heir of this Thomas.

1 Sidings, i. e. factions.

THE SOMERVILLS. 1 1 1

live at home in peace, as the troublesomenes of ' '
that tyme would allow him, makeing it his main
busines to mannadge to the best advantage that
considerable estate his father left him both in the
south and in the west, haveing the barronie of
Lintoune in the one and that of Carnwath in the
other, wherin truely both his industry and good
fortune failled him not in the great additione he
made therto, somewhat by purchases, but mostly
by his marriages, dureing the reigne of King-
David and King Robert the Second, the first of
the race of the Stewarts, all which appears from
the writts and evidences yet extant particularly
relateing to this gentleman, wherby it is wee give
the narratione of his memorie, seing ther is no-
thing in the public records of him to direct us.

The king being returned from his captivitie,
1358, for fyve years made it his busines to setle 135S,
and compose such disorders as wer amongst his
subjects, fyneing some, forfaulting others, re-
warding his freinds and followers according as
they had deserved or caryed dureing his absence.

In the year 1363, he keeped a parliament,
where he proponed to the estates that they would
give way to uniteing the two kingdomes of
Scotland and England, seing himself had noe
children, that Edward King of England, or his

1 1 2 MEMORIE OF

sone, might be his successor ; this motione was
soe ill taken by all the nobilitie and barrones,
that with one voyce they distasted the proposal!,
protesting that soe long as they were able to bear
armes they would never give ther consent ther-
unto,1 wThereupon the king for the present seem-
ed to be dissatisfied with his parliament, and in-
tertaine for some few years a grudge against the
most eminent of them, but afterwards was weill
enough satisfied by that confirmatione of ther
loyaltie to him and his successor ; it was from
these fyve preceeding years and that followed to
the end of his reigne, (being peaceable) that gave
opportunitie to the nobilitie and gentrie to look
eftir ther privat affaires, which had been quyte
out of order and all forme for fourscore years
preceeding ; the best titles wherby any man pos-
sessed his estate was by the lenth of his arme,
and the sharpeness of his sword ; but now the
strenth of the one being abated, and the edge of
the other blunted, by the laws haveing the full

1 There never was a more unanimous response to a sove-
reign from his great council : — " Cui breviter, et sine ulteriore
deliberatione aut retractione, responsum fuit per universaliter
singulos et singulariter universos de tribus statibus, Nunquam
se vellc consentire Anglicum super se regnare" — Fordun, Lib-
xvi. cap. 25.

THE SOMERVILLS. 1 1 3

force, constrained both the nobilitie and gentrie
to secure the right they had to ther estates and
possessiones by charters or instruments from ther
immediate superior, fearing, as they had good rea-
sone, they or ther successors might be brought
in questione for what at present they were in pos-
sessione of, seing, for the most part, it had been
other men's inheretances and lands, who had been
forefaulted for adhereing to the Balliol factione,
wherunto they or ther fathers had gotten from
the present king, or his predecessors, a donatione
without any other title than a naked grant for
service done to them and the croune of Scotland.
Wherby it comes to passe that at this day (if men
would be ingenuous and acknowledge the truth)
that most, if not all, the ancient charters of con-
firmatione, instruments, evidences or writs, the
eldest of our nobilitie and gentrie have, beare
dait from this king's reigne, either after he re-
turned out of France, 1 342, or after his releisment
from captivitie out of England, 1 358 ; and if ther
be any others that pretend to have charters of
ancienter daites, they will allow me to be Thomas
in the caice, not to believe them till they be
brought to light. It's true ther is some ancient
evidences granted by abbots and priors to these
that held land or fewes of the church, wherof ther

H

114 MEMORIE OF

are some yet remaining of a more ancient dait ;
but these daits are but conjecturall at the best,
seing they have not for the greatest part of them
the year of God insert, to know their antiquitie
by, but only it may be guessed at by the desig-
natione of the popes, abbots, and priors, that lived
in the tyme of the granting and the witnesses in-
sert in the bodie of the writt, wherof I have seen
some bearing dait about the twentieth year of
David the First his reigne, and the tenth of Mil-
columbus Quartus his reigne, and severall others
in the reigne of William, sirnamed the Lyon, and
soe douneward to the later end of the reigne of
Alexander the Thud; these being indeed the
most ancient evidences that are to be found in
Scotland, remaining in the hands of the bar-
rones and gentlemen that wcr feudaries to the
church, wherof a very mean man, of the sirname
of Somervill, has ane ancient feu in the toune of
Kelso, holding of that abbacie, which shall be
spoken to in its place.1

1 In this digression, the author of the Memoirs speaks like a
sensible and sound antiquary. It may be presumed that the
destruction of writings, as well as the rapid transference of pro-
perty during the wars of Bruce and Baliol, had annihilated the
evidence of the land-rights of most great families. Smaller pos-
sessions were as yet held chiefly by occupancy.

THE SOMERVILLS. ] 15

For this gentleman of whom we now wryte, he is65.
has ane instrument containeing two charters 13C9*
granted to him by King David Bruce ; the one
in anno 1 365, and the other in anno 1 369, in both
which his majestie confirmes and ratifies all form-
er rights and charters granted by himself or his
father, of blessed memorie, to and in favours of
Sir Walter de Somervill, sone and heir to his fa-
ther Sir John, of the barronie of Lintoune and
Carnwath, to hold ward of him and his successors :
ther are witnesses in both the charters, Robert
Stewart, eftirward king, William Earle of Doug-
lasse, Adam Bishop of Breichen, Chancellour of
Scotland, with several others whose names and de-
signationes are not soe distinct that wee can give
perfyte knowledge of them, because the instru-
ment lies been spoyled with rain. Both the char-
ters are in one parchment, the first included in
the later; a custome, as it would seem, then in use,
as may appear from other charters of the same
tyme of the barronie of Cambusnethan, wherof ane
account shall be given when that estate falles
unto the house of Lintoune and Carnwath, which
it did the age ensueing.

King David dying in anno 1370, the nobles 1370.
and barrones conveine at Lythgow, for the elec-
tione of a king, as if the right of Robert Stewart

116 MEMORIE OF

had been questionable, being nephew to the late
king, and grandchilde to King Robert the Br nee,
by his eldest daughter Marjorie, marryed to Wal-
ter the Great Steward of Scotland, father to this
Robert, to whom the right of the croune now
belonged. But this demurre was occasioned by
William Earle of Douglasse, that clamed the
croune, by right of the Balliol blood, from David
Earle of Huntingtoune, from whom Robert the
First had likewayes deryved his right to the
croune of Scotland, against John Balioll, that con-
tended with him then, as now the Earle of Doug-
lasse did with his grandchilde Robert the Second,
the first king of the name of Stewart. This mist
was soon cleared up notwithstanding of the force
the earle thought to have backed his pretentiones
with, and that partly by his oune confessione eftir
he had advysed with his friends, but mostly be-
cause he found the generalise of the barrones
against him in his pretentione, in the prosecu-
tione wherof at first he had engadged his kindred,
freinds, and vassalls, and conveened them in or-
der to his clame. Amongst others of his neigh-
bours he invited Sir Walter, barrone of Carnwath,
as his allya, being grandchilde to James Doug-
lasse of Loudoune-hill, by his daughter Elizabeth
Douglasse, heiresse of the toune and lands of

THE SOMERVILLS. 1 1 7

Carnwath. This proposall Sir Walter flatly refu-
sed, remembering his father, grandfather, and
uncle, had constantly adhered to the Brucean
partie, and wer, by the favour of the two preceed-
ing kings of that race, both honoured and reward-
ed j ' what effects this deny all had, good or bad,
is unknowne, or that the Earles of Douglasse
ever receaved the same I find not upon record ;
but it's certane the house of Cowthally nether
before nor eftirwards held any land of that fami-
lie, nor had any maner of dependencie upon them
for all their greatnes ; it's true indeed, at the same
tyme and many years eftirward, the Earles of
Douglasse had barrones of as good qualitie and
as opulent fortunes followers on them, as the bar-
rones of Lintoune and Carnwath, as you may read
in the preface of the author of the Douglasses in
generall, where he enumerats many noble fami-
lies that wer ther followers, but that the house of
Cowthally did soe (notwithstanding of their neer
neighbourhead to that familie) noe man will averre.
The familie of Cambusnethan haveing matched

1 Other families connected with the Douglasses by relation-
ship or dependence, also declined to back their pretensions to
the crown. The pretensions of the Baliol family, which had so
nearly proved fatal to the independence of Scotland, were an
unpopular foundation for this ambitious claim.

118 MEMORIE OF

with them long efter, in anno 1480, became stout
asserters of the house of Angus ther quarrells,
and was lyke to have suffered for the same, both
in ther persones and estates, as shall be made
knoune when we come to wryte of these tymes.
1371. Much about the beginning of this king's reigne,
ther happened a sad accident in the familie of
Sir John Herring, laird of Edmondstoune in
Clidesdale, and of Gillmertoune in Mid Lothian.
This gentleman haveing two beautifull daughters,
the eldest named Margaret, and the youngest
Geilles, both in expectatione to be sharers in a
great part of ther father's estate, because he had
no male children of his oune bodie, but a bro-
ther's sone named Patrick, whom he designed to
have marryed upon his eldest daughter, and given
him the greatest part of his lands eftir his death j
but the miscarriage of his eldest daughter, which
had a tragicall end, frustrated all his hope and
expectatione that way. For this young lady, as she
was beautifull, inclyneing to melanchollie, appear-
ed to be very devote, in observeing strictly all
rites and ceremonies of religione then in use,
wherby it came to passe, frequenting much the
abbacie of Newbotle, she became acquainted
with a young monk of the Sistertian order, or the
refyned Benedicts, belonging to that abbacie, who

THE SOMERVILLS. 119

haveing insinuated himself much in her favour
under ane specious pretext of holynes, did often
converse with this lady in her most private reteire-
ments both in the abbacie, and at her father's
house in Gillmertoune, without the least suspi-
tione that he intended any villainie ; but this ras-
cal, by his divellish rhetorick and allurements, soe
far prevailled upon the simplicitie of this gentle-
woman, that at lenth he deboshed her ; and, be-
cause he thought nether the abbacie nor her fa-
ther's house to be safe for their intrigues of love,
they agreed their meeting should be at a litle ferme
belonging to John Herring, called the Grange, a
quarter of a myle or therby from Gillmertoune,
neer by the road that leads to Newbotle. The mis-
tress of this country house being a young and a
lascivious widow, some tyme before had been en-
snared and played the wanton with his comerad ;
this house was therfore thought the most conve-
nient for them to meet at, which they often did,
to the great scandall of the monkes professione,
and dishonour of the women, especially of the
young ladie, which occasioned all ther mines in
the end. For notwithstanding of the secresie of
this affair and circumspectione for appoynting fitt
hours for their deeds of darkenes, yet ther was
some suspitione from the too much familiaritie be-

120 MEMORIE OF

twext Sir John's daughter and this woman soe
far below her qualitie ; ther often being togither,
and the frequenting of her house, gave occasione
of scandal! to all, which comeing to Sir John's
ears, being a forward and furious man, he threat-
ened his daughter with noe lesse than death, if
ever it came to his knowledge that she went to
the Grange, or frequented that woman's compa-
nie eftirwards. This she promised to her father to
observe, but with noe intentione to keep the same ;
for noe sooner was the darkenes of the ensueing
night come, but at her accustomed hours she goes
out at the back entry that leads to the Grange,
where the two brothers in iniquitie had aryved
some tyme before, to whom eftir ther dalliance
she imparts her father's suspitione and terrible
threatnings against her, which these gallants litle
regarded, protesting that they would make her
father doe pennance for that very suspitione, litle
dreameing that they themselves was soe neer de-
structione, for that very night all of them was
brought to their end by a cruell revenge ; for Sir
John, missing his daughter out of her chamber,
concluded where she was, and went presently to
the place with two of his domesticks, where find-
ing the doors of the house shut, and noe answear
made to his demands, nor the doors opened not-

THE SOMERVILLS. 1 2 1

withstanding of his threatnings, in a rage he sets
fyre to the thatch with a1 his servant caryed,
which immediatly (the wind being somewhat
high) set the wholl onsteed in a fyre, and burned
it doune to the ground.* Ther perished in the
flame and mines above eight or nine persones,
for which cruell act, as it was highly aggravated
in all the horrible circumstances by the church-
men then in being, this poor gentleman was for-
ced to flee the country for a tyme, his estate be-
ing forefaulted by the king. Dureing his retire-
ment, he corresponds with none soe much as with
Sir Walter, barrone of Carnwath, of whom he held
the lands of Carsewall as a part of that barronie.
The neer neighbourhead of Edmondstoune in
Clidesdale and Carnwath, with some relatione of
kindred betwext these two families, had, before
this unhappie accident fell out, made them very
intimate, soe that they communicated most of
ther affaires one to another, and advysed togither
how to prosecute the same.

Sir John being now a banished man, and his 1372.

1 The blank in the MS. may be supplied by " torch," or other-
wise at the reader's pleasure.

* Gilmerton-Grange, where this tragedy was acted, is near
the village of Gilraerton, about four miles from Edinburgh. It
is still called by the old people Bumtdole, from that singular and
melancholy event, which is well remembered in the vicinage.

122 MEMORIE OF

estate forefaulted, craves both the counsel! and
help of his friends and superiors, how to behave
in this busines, and what was the readyest way
to reconcile himself, first to the church and then
to the king, against whom and the lawes he had
grievously offended ; for the friends or relationes
of these persones that perished in the fyre being
but of mean qualitie, he was not very apprehen-
sive of much opposition from them in order to
his reconciliatione, seing a litle money might take
them off. This advertisement being given by ane
expresse to Walter of Carnwath, he speedily re-
turnes the bearer, with full assurance to Sir John
Herring, that he would undertake his busines, and
act therin as if it wer his oune concerne, by im-
ploying all his interest and freindship, both in the
church and court to doe him service, wherin he
was as good as his word ; for comeing first to the
abbacie of Newbotle, he dealles effectually with
the abbot and others of the principalis of that
abbacie ; representing to him and them how scan-
dalous the lyves of these two monks had been a
long tyme before ther acquaintance with that mi-
serable lady, and yet their former villanies and that
also was keeped up from the abbot's knowledge,
to the great reproach of ther holy professione and
prejudice of that abbacie, which men abhorred

THE SOMERVILLS. 123

now as the sink of all abominatione ; women shun-
ning the sight of the monkes and friers therto be-
longing, as they would doe that of a bazilisk,
which ther oune experience by sight and reports
from other persones, might better confirme to
them then all the informatione he was able to
give. And, to perswad them the more easilie, he
insinuats farther, that the nobilitie and gentrie
took great indignatione for the affront put upon
Sir John Herring's familie, by his eldest daughter
and appearing heir being abused by men of ther
professione, under a pretext of devotione, to her
utter undoeing, wherin they conceaved all of
them wer concerned, not knowing how soon it
might be their oune caice ; therefore they spoke
big, threatening to petitione the king, that all the
monkes and friers might be for ever confyned to
the abbacies and cloysters, as they wer by the or-
der and first institution obleiged to. These, with
some other reasones, used by Sir Walter of Carn-
wath, with the remembrance of the monkes ther
monstruous fact, prevailled with the abbot and
fraternitie to hearken to ane accomodation e, pro-
vydeing he would move the Bishop of Saint An-
drews to procure the churches absolutione, seing
Sir John Herring was excommunicat. Being satis-
fied with this answear from the abbot for the tyme,

]24 MEMORIE OF

his next business was with the king, to whom he
goes, and is presented by Patrick, Bishop of
Breichen, Chancellor of Scotland, for the tyme,
1372, to whom he had spoken first, and made him
Sir John's friend. The chancellor informes the
king, being then at his castle at Dundonald, what
great remorse Sir John Herring had for imbrue-
ing his hands in the blood of sacred persones*
and transgresseing soe hyneously against his ma-
jestie and the knoune lawes of the kingdome ;
for expiatione of which crime, he was most will-
ing and ready to undergoe any pennance the
church will impose upon him, and submit to
what punishment his majestie should inflict, per-
sonall or penall, Ins life and the memorie of his
poor familie being preserved.

The king was very glad to hear this from a
churchman, because his majestie was apprehen-
sive that himself and these of his professione
would be the gentleman's greatest enemies, as
most concerned in the murder, being churchmen ;
but now finding the bishop a solicitor instead of
ane accuser, he makes the busines of pardoneing
and restoreing of Sir John to his inheretance
somewhat strange at first, of purpose to engadge
the chancellor to solicit more earnestly in his be-
half, for the king had some kyndenes for the gen-

THE SOMERVILLS. 125

tleman himself upon his oune account, but most-
ly for his father's, John Herring, who had behaved
himself soe worthily in the reigne of King David
Bruce, being among the first of these barrones
that declared for the interest of that king to the
ermine,1 soe that his present majestie was but
waitting for a fltt opportunitie to restore Sir John
Herring both to life, honour, and estate, (for he
was legally dead,) without offending the church.
Therefore his majestie now embraces this occa-
sione, and recommends to the chancellor that he
should see to the satisfactione Sir John Herring
was to make to the abbacie of Newbotle, and
upon his reconciliation and absolutione, to draw
his pardone ; soe affrayed and scrupolous was kings
then to give the least offence to the church and
churchmen. Carnwath, haveing what he came
for, kisses his majesties hands in all humilitie, and
gives thankes in his freind's name, to whom, being

1 This John Heryng appears, from Wintoun's Chronicle, to
have been a constant adherent and companion of the gallant
Sir Alexander Ramsay of Dalwolsey, at a time when, although
driven to lurk in the caverns at Gorton and Hawthornden, he
used to harass the English even as far as the borders of North-
umberland, by unceasing inroads. In particular, Heryng was
present and behaved manfully at a sharp battle near Norham,
in which Ramsay defeated the English, A. D. 1355 — Seo
Wintoun's Chronicle, book viii. chapters 29. 38.

126 MEMORIE OF

returned from court, he gives ane account of all
that passed, adviseing him speedily to returne to
the country, and setle himself quyetlie at his house
of Cowthally, some part of the mines wherof he
had lately repaired, untill both the penaltie and
pennance the church will impose upon him wer
knowne, and his pardone sealled by the king.
This Sir John readily condescends to, passing to
the country in disguise, untill he arryved at Cow-
thally house, where he was welcomed, but with
much privacy, by his neighbour and freind, Sir
Walter of Carnwath, who now more fully made
him understand his own affaires and what farther
was to be done in order to his freedome and in-
largement. It was dureing Sir John Herring's be-
ing at Cowthally Castle, that Sir Walter Somer-
vill, being a widow at the tyme, was much taken
with the amiable countenance and courtly de-
portment of Geilles Herring, Sir John's only
childe, with whom he falles in love, resolveing to
seek her in marriage. He courts her with all sub-
missione and respect due to her qualitie, that at
lenth by his opportunitie, haveing ane opulent
fortune, and not much above fourtieth and eight
years of age, he games her affectione and consent
to marrie him, provydeing her father wer willing.
This was no difficult thing for him to procure, con-

THE SOMERVILLS. 127

siclering the obligationes Sir John Herring lay
under to his friend and superior, and in regard of
the use he yet had for his interest to the making
up of his peace, which was but in agitatione both
with the church and court. That consideratione
and remembrance of former obligationes made
Sir John give his consent, notwithstanding some
inequalitie of years, Sir Walter being past four-
tieth and eight, and his estate allready heired,
and his oune daughter scarce eightienth, ' of ad-
mirable beautie, that might have procured her a
great match of equall quality and years to her-
self, notwithstanding of her father's conditione
and her sister's miscarriage, which might be sup-
posed to be the only hinderance and lett to her
good fortune ; but this was non to him that by
some tymes converce knew her personall worth
and the state of her father's affaires. Therefore
this bargane was soon agreed betwext him and Sir
John, wherby the half of the lands of Gillmer-
toune, in Mid Louthian, was given to him and
the heirs of that marriage, or any other marriage
past or to come, irredeemably for ever. This may
be thought a very odd clause or conditione for Sir

1 This mode of forming a numerical adjective is a peculiari-
ty of our author's style.

]23 MEMORIE Ol'

John to consent to, and such as would be hissed
at in this generatione ; but who considers this
equallie needs not think it soe strange, for in
effect, it lies been a sort of venditione, as ap-
pears from the subsequent conditiones which wer
obligatory upon Sir Walter's part, wherin he was
obleiged, first to procure his majesties remissione
to Sir John, and his restitutione to the rest of his
estate, for the payment only of two hundreth
markes Scots ; and further, upon Sir John's dis-
poneing the lands of Grange to the abbacie of
Newbotle, and dreeing1 such bodily pennance as
the church should impose, he was to procure his
absolutione and re-entry unto the church, com-
munion, &c.

It would appear Sir Walter Somervill lies been
very confident of the king's favour, and churches
goodnes, that he tyed himself to these conditiones ;
but what he had understood from the king and
chancellor, made him the more confident and as-
sured in the performance, soe that eftir the date
of his contract of marriage, which is subscryved
with severall hands, butnon legible, save the not-
tar's, the defect of the subscriptiones is supplied
by ther sealles in red wax appended to the parch-
ment, wherupon this contract and dispositione is

1 To dree was to undergo.

THE SOMERVILLS. 129

written. It bears date at Cowthally, the tenth day
of June, 1372.

Sir Walter Somervill haveing setled the termes
of his marriage and consummated the same, goes
to the court being then at Stirling, with his young
lady, where, eftir he had advysed with the chan-
cellor and some other of Sir John Herring's weill
wishers, he makes his addresse to the king, who
of himself was willing to remitt Sir John Herring's
offences, and grant him present pardone ; but the
default lay in the church ther satisfactione, which
by the chancellors interest in himself was at lenth
agreed upon in ther termes : That Sir John Her-
ring should make over for him and his the marke
land of Grange, (where the murder was commit-
ted,) to and in favours of the abbacie of New-
botle, clameing noe right therin neither in pro-
pertie, superioritie, nor vassallage, in all tyme
comeinge ; and farther, that the said Sir John
should, bare headed and bare legged, in a sack-
cloath, crave absolutione at the bishop and abbot's
hands, and stand in the same maner at the prin-
cipall door of Saint Katharins chappell every
sabbath and holyday for ane year, and paying
fourtie pennies at every tyme to the poor of the
parish, and ane hundreth markes Scots to the
munkes of Newbotle, to pray for the soules of

i

130 MEMORIE Ol'

those that dyed through his transgressione. Ther
conditiones wer accepted and performed by Sir
John, wherupon he had his pardone from the
king, was restored to his estate, and had absolu-
tione from the church.

It was from this marriage, and the causes be-
fore rehearsed, that the house of Cowthally and
Lintoune had ther first interest in Mid Louthian,
by getting the half of Gillmertoune from Sir John
Herring, the lands of Drum and Gutters, and the
other litle villages about it, being but parts and
pendicles therof. Sir John Herring lived not long
eftir his daughters marriage and his oune restau-
ratione. Before his death, he disponed his lands
of Edmondstoune and those of Carsewall, that he
held of the house of Cowthally, with the other
half of his lands in Gillmertoune, to his nephew,
Patrick Herring, whose great-grand childe, Sir
Gilbert Herring, by frequenting the court, and
being a great spendthrift, made ane end of all, by
selling the lands of Gillmertoune to one William
Ramsay, a brother of the house of Caullichope,
and his lands of Carsewall to John Lord Somer-
vill ; for his lands of Edmondstoune, I find not to
whom he disponed them.

In October the same year, 1372, John, eldest
sone and appearing heir to Walter, barrone of

THE SOMERVILLS. 131

Carnwath, being at court with his father, ther
was non more taken notice of then this young
gentleman ; being of a comely personage, affable
and courteous, he gained the affectione of all he
conversed with ; but that which contributed most
to the young gentleman's advantage, was his ac-
quaintance with Sir John Edmondstoune, donator
to the forfaulture of Sir Robert Baird, whose gift
of forfaulture this gentleman, Sir John Edmond-
stoune, had obtained from King David Bruce, in
anno 1345, and by vertue thereof possessed at
this tyme the barronie of Cambusnethan. It was
with this old gentleman, Sir John Edmondstoune,
that young Lintoune bare company both at the
court and in the country, because of the pleasant-
nes of his humour, and in regard he was in much
favor with the king, as he had been with his prede-
cessor King David. But that which engadged
this young gentleman intirely, was the great af-
fectione he bare to the beautifull daughter of Sir
John Edmondstoune, who, being her father's only
childe, was appearing heires of a faire estate, and
that lying within the same shyre where the great-
est part of his father's estate lay, which held all
ward of the king, whereas the barronie of Cum-
busnethan held blensche of the croune for a pair

1 32 MEMORIE OF

of gilded spurres, which is the reddendo of the
charter of that barronie.

This lady, what for her beauty and great estate,
had many suitors of as good qualitie and fortune
as this gentleman ; but he played his game soe
weill, by engadgeing the ladyes affectione (who
was then in the twentieth and fourth year of her
age, which was much about that of his oune) and
being obsequious to old Sir John in all he was
pleased to command him, that at lenth he obtain-
ed his consent to let him have his daughter, and
with her the barronie of Cambusnethan. This
bussines was brought to a tryst ' at Lanerk the
same moneth, and in November thereftir the
marriage was solemnized, to the great satisfaction
of the parties themselves and all ther honorable
relationes.
1375. For Sir Walter de Somervill, eftir his oune mar-
riage and that of his sones, (who remained at
Cambusnethan with his father-in-law) for the most
part lived at home with his young lady at Cow-
thally, which eftir this man became the sole re-
sidence of the Lord Somervill. He was the first
of the barrones of Lintoune and Carnwath that

' A formal or appointed meeting.

THE SOMERVILLS. 133

repaired any part of the mines therof, and enclo-
sed the same within a barrakine wall1 of stone
some four yards high ; at the east corner wherof,
without the gate, he built a square tower three
storie high, vaulted out at the top, with an aisler
battlement about the same. The mines of this
tower is yet to be seen, two story wherof was
standing within these few years. What children
Sir Walter's young lady bare to him I know not,
for I find them not distinguished from the rest ;
but it's probable, nay certaine, if ther had been
any they would have succeeded at least to the
lands of Gillmertoune that came by ther mother,
but, on the contrary, I find Thomas Lord Somer-
vill served heir to the deceast Thomas Somervill
of Gillmertoune ; and it's certane this Thomas
was a sone of his first marriage, named eftir his
grandfather, the young laird of Craigmiller, kill-
ed at the takeing of the toune of Berwick.

• The barmkin, or barbican, was the outer inclosure or forti-
fied court-yard of an ancient castle. By an act of the Scottish
parliament, 12th June, 1536, " For bigging of Strengthis on the
Borderis," every landed man possessed of a hundred pund
land of new extent, is directed to build thereon a barmkin of
lime and stone, threescore feet square, one ell thick, and six
ells high, for defence of himself, his tenants and goods, in trou-
blesome times, with a tower within the same for himself, if he
thinks it expedient.

134 MEMORTE OF

1378. The last evidence of any moment that I have
relating to this gentleman, is a charter of con-
firmatione granted to Patrick Herring, nephew
and heir to Sir John Herring, laird of Edmond-
stoune, which is dated at Carnwath, the first
day of Apryle, 1380, in which year Sir Walter
Somervill, barrone of Lintoune and Carnwath,
dyed, haveing then alyve fyve children, two sones
and three daughters. His eldest sone John suc-
ceeded to the barronies of Lintoune and Carn-
wath by his father, and to that of Cambusnethan
by his father-in-law. To his second sone Thomas
he leaves the lands of Gillmertoune, who have-
ing marryed Katharine Stratone, the laird of
Stratone's (the predecessor of the now laird of
Lowristoune in the north, of the same familie and
sirname) second daughter, with her he had noe
children, soe that the lands of Gillmertoune, eftir
this gentleman's decease, fell in to his nephew
Thomas Lord Somervill ; for his eldest daughter
Janet,1 long before his death, was marryed upon
Neill or either Duncan Campbell, the first Earle
of Argyle, made by Robert the Second, the first

* Douglas and Crawford, I observe, name this lady Elizabeth,
and wed her with Archibald, son and heir of Sir Duncan Camp-
bell of Lochern. This Archibald, according to these genealo-
gists, died before his father, leaving issue, Sir Colin Campbell,
first Earl of Argyle, so created by James II. in 1457.

THE SOMERVILLS. 135

of the Stewarts ; the second, named Elizabeth,
in the year 1374 was marryed to Sir William
Moubray of Barnebougill ; the third to Sir Alex-
ander Penniecook of that ilk. For this gentle-
man1 I find he dyed at Kelso, in his way to Lin-
toune, in the house of William Somervill, a natu-
ral sone of his oune, for whom he had procured
a feu from the abbots of that abbacie in favours
of this young gentleman. He had lived from the
year of his father's death, at which tyme he was
in a marryed state, to that of his oune, threttieth
and three years compleat. His corpes, by his
two sones, John and Thomas, and his natural!
sone William, with other relationes, was trans-
ported from Kelso to Lintoune, and buryed in
the queir of that church. By discharges granted
to Thomas Lord Somervill, I find his lady, Geilles
Herring, marryed to Sir William Fairlie of Brade,
whose sone of that marriage commenced along
plea against Thomas Lord Somervill and Patrick
Herring, for the lands of Gillmertoune, which at
length was taken away by marriages betwext
these families.

* i. e. Sir Walter SomerviIlet

136 MEMORIE OP

Of Sir John, the Sexth Barrone of Lintoune, the
Third of Carnwath, the First of Cambusnethan,
the Eleventh from SirGualter de Somervill Lord
of TVhichenour, and the Fourth of that Name.

1380. Walter being dead in the year 1380, and Sir
John Edmondstoune some years before, John,
now barrone of Lintoune, is served heir to his
father Walter in the barronie of Carnwath, at
Lanerk, before Robert Stewart of Evandale, upon
the 24th day of September, 1380 ; and upon the

1381. 10th day of Apryle, 1381, he is served heir to
his father in the barronie of Lintoune, before Ro-
bert Kerr of Cessfoord,1 in the town of Jedburgh.
Upon these services, and the charter of resigna-
tion made by his father-in-law to him to the
barronie of Cambusnethan, ther passes a confir-
matione granted by King Robert the Second,
dated at Stirling the 14th day of July, 1381, wher-
in ther is insert as witnesses, John Lyon Lord
Glames, Chancellor of Scotland, William Landels,
Bishop of Saint Andrewes, Walter Wardlaw, Bi-

1 The same, I presume, whom genealogists rank as the fourth
of the Cessford family, ancestors of the Dukes of Roxburgh.

THE SOMERVILLS. 137

shop of Glasgow, and Cardinall Robert, Earle of
FyrT, George and John, Earles of March, William,
Earle of Douglas, Robert Fleyming of Cumber-
nald. This charter has a seall of white append-
ed to it, with the ancient armes of the Kings of
Scotland curiously engraven upon the one syde,
bearing a horse with his ryder richly mantled,
with a shield upon the man's arme, haveing the
lyon rampand with the flower de luce ; upon
the other syde it beares the representatione of
the king sitting upon his throne, holding out his
two armes, from which descends a scheild from
every hand, haveing the same armes as upon the
other syde. Some of the letters are wanting and
others not very legible, soe that I cannot be po-
sitive they are the same wee now have.

This gentleman haveing procured from his
majestie this confirmatione, reteires from court,
and takes up his dwelling at Cambusnethan
with hes young lady, where he continues dure-
ing the peace with England ; but the truce ex-
pyreing which had been agreed upon betwext
France and England, wherin Scotland was inclu-
ded for four years, the admirall of France, John
De Vienne, Earle of Wallensheo, arryveing in
Scotland, and bringing with him 2000 men, it
was resolved at court to make a road into Eng*

1S8 MEMORIE OF

land, which they did, spoyleing the country be-
twext Berwick and Newcastle, takeing in the
castles of Warke and Cornewall. But these things
I passe over with few words, being so copiouslie
written allready by our historians, particularly
by the author of the Douglasses history. That
familie, from the reigneof King Robert the Bruce,
and his coronatione in the year 1 306, untill the
restauratione of King James the First from his
captivitie out of England, in anno 1424, had suc-
cessefully been the leaders and principall actors
in all the warres and bickerings betwext the two
nationes, wherby they not only acquyred eminent
titles, but also greater estates by farr then any
other subjects in Scotland, and that not only to
themselves, but likewayes to the cadits of ther fa-
milies, and the followers of ther fortune, soe that
at lenth they became jealous to soveraignetie it-
self, which in the next centurie ended in that
fearfull catastrophe of the finall mine of this flou-
rishing familie in the year 1483, as you may read
at lenth in the history of the Douglasses. But
I returne from whence I have a litle digressed.
James Earle of Douglas and the Admirall of
France haveing entered England with a very
great armie, were opposed by a farr greater of
the English, which made the Scots returne with-

THE SOMERVILLS. 139

out doeing anything save the wasteing of North-
umberland and the adjacent counties neer 14
myles. In this expedition John barrone of Lin-
toune and Carnwath was one, who, in the reteire-
ing with others, whose interest lay neer that
place, advysed the Earles of FyfF and Douglas
to beseidge the castle of Roxburgh, then in the
English hands, whose garrisone, by ther perpetual
excursiones, harassed the wholl country. This
the Earle of Douglas perswaded them to doe,
but to litle purpose, because of the disorders of
the armie, particularly the unreasonable demands
of the French for craveing the castle to be thers
when it should be winn, thus verefieing the old
proverbe, to contend for the beares skin when it
was yet on his back. Within eight dayes the seidge
is deserted with litle prejudice to the castle, but
much to the country, by the plundering of the
French, which soe insensed both the Scots armie
and the wholl people, that the French was lyke to
pay dear for it, if the Earle of Douglas and some
other grandees had not interposed for ther safetie,
by procureing ther speedie returne to ther oune
kingdome. This being the first apprentisship of
John barrone of Lintoune and Carnwath, where-
in albeit ther was litle occasione given for ac-
tione, yet it testified his willingnes to serve his

140 MEMORIE OF

prince and country- This invasions of England

1386. happened to be in the year 1386.1

1387. ^ne year following, 1387, the king being now
aged, and his eldest sone John, eftirward king
by the name Robert the Third, unfitt for the
warres, the nobilitie have ther recourse to the
Earle of Fyff, the king's second sone, of whom,
as was supposed, the lands of Gillmertoune in
Mid Louthian held, as Earl of Monteith, which
eftirward cost the successors of this gentleman
very dear ; these lands holding of the Earle of
Strathearne, and not of Monteith, wherof, upward
of 100 years thereftir, Sir John Somervill of
Quathquan made good use to his oune behoove,
in prejudice of his pupill, John Lord Somervill,

* Avery lively account of the dissentions between the Scots
and their French auxiliaries is given by Froissart, who con-
cludes with the evil report which these unpopular auxiliaries
brought upon their allies. " Than dyvers knyghts and squyers
had depassages. and so retourned, some into Flanders, and as
wynde and weder wolde drive them, without horse and harnesse,
right poore and feble, cursyng the day that ever they came in
Scotlande, sayeng howe there were neuer men had soe harde a
voyage ; wyshing that the French kyng had peace with Eng-
lande one yere or two, and soe both kynges togider to goe into
Scotlande, vtterly to destroy that realm for ever ; for they said
they never sawe so yvell people, nor so false traytours, nor
more folysshe people in feates of warre." — Lord Berners'
Froissajtf Lond. 1812, 4to, vol. II. p. 32.

THE SOMERVILLS. 141

the fyfth from this worthie gentleman of whom
wee now treat. The Earle of FyfF being prevail-
ed upon with James Earle of Douglas, the earles
uncle, they entered England with ane armie of
SOOO men, soe suddenly, that the country have-
ing noe leasure, for want of intelligence, to con-
voy ther goods out of the way, the counties
of Westmerland, Cumberland, and Northumber-
land, through which they passed, receaved great
losse. This armie returning with their bootie
to Scotland without any encounter, with severall
other inroads of the lyke nature by the Earles of
FyfF and Douglas, made the King of England send
ane armie into Scotland, which allmost ruined
the wholl Merse, and gave the first occasione to
that notable battell of Otterburne, where James
Earle of Douglas, being conqueror, was killed.
The particulars of this fight ye have in the Doug-
lasses historic That author, in designeing some
of the persones, precipitates their titles, as in that
of the Constable Errolls, in nameing him Earle
at that engadgement, whereas it's very weill
knowne he was not nobilitat, at least not made
earle, untill the reigne of King James the Second.
But that author is lyable to grosser mistakes then
this, as is alleadged, for which some blames him
much ; but for myself I believe he hes written

142 MEMORIE OF

the truth in most things, and noe more nor what
the house and name of Douglas very weill de-
serves : but herein indeed he is to be blamed, that
he often obscures, at the least minishes the repu-
tatione of others that merited very weill at the
hands of ther king and country in that age. Let
others speak where they are concerned, I shall
only instance in the behalf of the house of Cam-
busnethan, that deserved a fuller and more am-
ple descriptione, with a better character in his
history, then he lies been pleased to allow them,
considering the neer interest, by allya, the house
of Cambusnethan had to the house of Angus, and
for the severall good offices that familie did unto
the Earles of Angus and Douglas, by hazarding
ther life and fortune in ther quarrelles, as shall
be spoken to in its place. But to returne. This
invasione, which we formerly mentioned, happen-
1388. ed in Jully, in the year 1388, was not soe closely
gone about as intended ; but that the English
had advertisement therof before hand, and ac-
cordingly provyded for ther defence, which made
the Scottish commanders resolve upon the de-
vydeing of ther armie in two parts, the more to
amaze the enemie and make them uncertane
where to place ther cheifF strenth, as not know-
ing where the armie of the enemie might march j

THE SOMERVILLS. 143

thairfore the English concluded it was best only
by the nobilitie to give advertisement to the gen-
trie and commons to be ready upon call, without
appoynting either day or place for their rendez-
vouz. England being in this readynes, the Scots
armie devydes in two, the Earle of Douglas with
the Earle of March, father and sone, with seve-
rall other noblemen, had the command of the
one half. This part, commanded by Douglas and
the Earle of March, was that which fought at
Otterburne, allready mentioned ; for the other
part of the armie, led by Robert Earle of FyfFand
Monteith, they marched Carlile road, and wee
read of noe encounter nor engadgement they had
with any enemie at this tyme, soe that it was the
good or bad fortune, as yow please to esteem it,
of the barrone of Lintoune and Carnwath, in two
severall expeditions, to want opportunitie to give
evidence of his valour and manhood, as all his
predecessors had done in behalf of ther prince
and country.

Robert the Second dying at his castle of Dun-
donald upon the nyneteinth day of Apryle, 1390, 1390.
before his death ther was a peace made betwext
England and France for the space of seven years,
wherin Scotland was also comprehended. This
peace gave opportunitie to the gentlemen that

144 MEMORIE OF

had ther estates lying upon the border to seek
eftir soe much of ther rent as could be recovered
in these broken tymes, wherin for the most part
the country thereabout was harassed by the Eng-
lish and Scots, it being the common road for both,
when they intended any invasione upon the midle
marches. John Barrone of Camwath, being at this
tyme ordering his affaires in the barronie of Lin-
toune, was invited over, by his cussing Sir Ro-
bert Kerr of Cessefoord, to the castle of Cesse-
foord, ' then his residence, distant from the tower
of Lintoune, upon the other syde of the watter
of Kaill, some two myles or thereby. When at
dinner, they had the first newes of King Robert
the Second his death, by ane expresse that had
come from Clidsdale to John Barrone of Carn-
wath, sent from his lady, to give him advertise-
ment of her oune sickness, and how desyreous
she was of his speedy returne. As for the king's
death, being of a great age, and haveing some
years before he dyed held a parliament at Perth,
wherin he made his second sone, Robert Earle
of Fyff, Governour of Scotland, because of the

* The ruins of this ancient baronial castle are still extant,
and are considerable. It was long the chief seat of the Rox-
burgh family, and is situated in the parish of Eckford,
6

THE SOMERVILLS. 145

unfitnes of his eldest sone that was to succeed to
the croune. Soe that the report of the king's
death was not soe surprizeing to thir gentlemen
as the fears and apprehensions for the state of the
country in the future, because of the weaknes of
the next successor.

The recept of this letter hastened the barrone
of Carnwath's returne to Cambusnethen, where
being come he found his lady in a very weak con-
ditione, a violent feaver haveing seazed upon her,
which brought her neer unto death j however,
it pleased the Lord to recover her out of that
sicknes, for the good and advantage of that fa-
mily, whereof she was a great ornament, both by
her pietie, vertue, and beautie. Soe soon as she
was perfectly recovered of her health her husband
resolved to attend the court, (it being now a
tyme of peace, and he never as yet had seen the
king since his coronatione ;) and that in order
to dignifie himself by some title of honor, wher-
of men about this tyme wer beginning to be am-
bitious, and he himself as much as any other,
from the greatnes of his fortune, haveing then in
his possessione three great barronies of land, be-
syde the prospect or expectatione he had of the
lands of Gillmertoune to himself or his succes-
sors, eftir the death of his brother Thomas, who

K

146 MEMORIE OF

had noe children by his lady, and was now past
hope of ever haveing any. Robert Earle of Fyff
and Monteith, the king's brother, with Gilbert
Greenlaw, Bishop of Aberdeen, Chancellor of
Scotland, governed all affaires of state. Upon
them he resolves to depend, the first being his
brother's supposed superior of the lands in Lou-
thian ; and the chancellor hes ladyes neer rela-
tione, by the mother's syde. Dureing his sex
years attendance upon the Earle of Fyff and the
chancellor, and his frequenting the court, wee
find noe additione he made to his estate, albeit
he added somewhat to the honour of his familie.
Upon this occasione, a parliament being called
by Robert the Third, to sitt at Perth, in anno
1396. 1393, he attended the same, being summoned as
one of the barrones of Scotland ; and assisted at
the ceremonie of David the Prince his being
created Duke of Rossie, and Robert Earle of
Fyff .and Monteith, his great patrone, being made
Duke of Albanie ; who, in the year 1406, was
Governour of Scotland. These being the first
dukes that was in this kingdome, made the so-
lemnitie the greater by the concurse of the great-
est part of nobilitie and ancient barrones of Scot-
land, who were obleidged by ane old law to at-
tend the king in parliament. It was dureing the

THE SOMERVILLS. 147

sitting of this parliament and the conferring of
these great titles upon the prince and his uncle,
that his majestie was pleased to dignifie John
barrone of Carnwath, and Thomas, now his eldest
sone, {John the eldest being dead some years
preceeding,) with the honour of knighthood. I
know it is alleadged from this gentleman's re-
ceaveing summonds to this parliament, that he
was the first lord, being then nobilitat from his
sitting in that parliament ; but ther is no ground
nor probabilitie for this assertione. Men then, as
they are at this present, wer vaine enough of ther
titles of honour ; and certanely, if ther had been
any truth in that, this gentleman would have de-
signed himself by that title. But I find not that
he did soe, noe nor yet his sone eftir his death,
untill the beginning of the reigne of King James
the First, in anno 1424.

The parliament, 1396, being broken, and the
country remaining in peace for some years, Sir
John reteires from court, and makes his residence
mostly at Cowthally ; all his children being at this
tyme come to the state of men and women, he
made it his busines to setle them according to
ther qualities. His eldest daughter, named eftir
her mother Margaret, in anno ] 397, he marryes 1397.
upon Robert Diell of that ilk. The year ensue-

148 MEMORIE OF

1 398. ing, 1 398, he marryes his second daughter, named
Janet eftir his oune mother, upon Sir Simon
Glendinning. In the year I4o0, on the sexth of
Apryle, his youngest daughter was marry ed upon
Sir Lewis Stewart of Minto. In August the same
year, his vertueous lady Margaret Edmondstoune
dyes, haveing lived with her husband 28th years,
dureing which tyme she had borne to her hus-
band nyne children, fyve wherof survived herself,
two sones and three daughters. She had the hap-
py nes to see her three daughters honourably
marryed, and her two sones as gallant and hope-
ful youths as was within the natione. Before her
death, she desyred her husband to bury her be-
syde her father in the quyer of Cambusnethen
church ; which accordingly was done by her hus-
band and two sones, and three sones in law, with
all the solemnitie then in use. She was a lady
of many eminent vertues, and was the third of
the females that made a great additione to the
barrones of Lintoune, ther estate in Scotland.

1400. Eftir the year 1400, I find not anything of Sir
John Somervill, barrone of Carnwath, in the his-
tories either of the church or state, notwithstand-
ing these tymes gave occasione to some actione,
in regaird of the difference betwext the Earles of

March and Douglas, anent the marrying of David,

8

THE SOMERVllLS. 149

Duke of Rossey, the king's eldest sone, upon
Marjorie Douglas, daughter to the earle, where-
as he had been before contracted upon Elizabeth
Dunbar, daughter to George Earle of March,
These two great men, upon this occasione, fall-
ing out, became to quarrell and to bring the
country into factrones, which was much troubled,
especially by the Earle of March, who being
worsted, engadged the English in his quarrell,
who wer ready enough of themselves to lay hold
upon any opportunitie to doe our natione a mis-
cheiff. In all these occurrences and other pub-
Iict transactiones of that tyme, either in peace or
warre, dureing the remaineder of King Robert
the Third's reigne, I find not that Sir John, bar-
rone of Carnwath, did concerne himself, haveing,
eflir his ladyes death, confyned himself, for the
most part, to his dwelling att Cambusnethen ;
the pleasantnes of the place inviteing him therto
allbeit at the tyme ther was noe other house
upon it (except some laigh office houses) but the
Baird tower, a building some 20 foot square and
four storie high, which was still standing in the
same forme and fashion, untill the year 166*1,
that it was demolished by Sir John Harper, when
he rebuilt the house of Cambusnethen.

In the year 1405, ther had been some discourse 1405.

150 MEMORIE OF

of marrying his eldest sone Sir Thomas upon
Mary Sinclaire, sister to Sir William Sinclaire,
Earle of Orknay and Laird of Roslayn ; but it
took noe effect untill eftir his death, which hap-
pened the same year, the ii. of October. Before
his death, he setled upon his second sone Walter,
the toune and lands of Overtoune, of Cambusne-
then, Paider and Paiderhall, Gairin and Gairin-
gill, with the coallheaugh, in the barronie of Cam-
busnethen, aud the ten merk land of Litletoune,
in the barronie of Lintoune. Undoubtedly, have-
ing soe opulent a fortune, he would have left his
second sone a greater estate, but that he expect-
ed his sone Walter sould have succeeded to the
land in Louthian eftir his brother Thomas his
decease ; but that gentleman, at his death, con-
ferred his wholl estate upon his names-sone and
nephew, Sir Thomas Somervill of Carnwath,
eldest sone to this Sir John, who succeeded both
to his father and to his uncle and ther wholl
estates, except what was given to this Walter,
which eftirward fell into Thomas Lord Somer-
vill. Before his death, some few dayes before
Sir John dyed, his sones and sones in law en-
quyred at him if they should bury him with his
predecessors in Lintoune church ; he answeared, .
" No, but inCambusnethenquierbesyde his wife,"

THE SOMERVILLS. 151

which accordingly was done. He was a gentle-
man of great vertue, and added both to the ho-
nour and greatnes of the house of Lintoune and
Carnwath, by his marriage and frugalitie. He
lived fyftieth and sex years ; ' wherof in a marry-
ed state twentieth and eight, and a widow fyve ;
and was the first of his name and familie buryed
in Cambusnethen church.

Of Sir Thomas, the seventh Barrone of Lintoune,
the fourth of Carnwath, the second of Cambusne-
then, the frst Lord Somervilf, and the twelth
from Sir Gualter de Somervill, Lord of Whiche-
nour in England.

To Sir John Somervill, Barrone of Lintoune
and Carnwath, succeeded his eldest sone Sir Tho-
mas,* who is served air to him the succeeding
year, by a breiff out of the Chancellarie, the first

* Douglas, in his Peerage, altogether omits this Sir John So-
mervillc. According to his genealogical deduction, the father
of Sir Thomas Somerville was Sir William Somerville, who, ac-
cording to him, represented the family from 1370 to 1403.

* This was one of the most distinguished persons of this an-
cient and honourable family. If the writer of the Memoirs had
before him the retour of the inquest upon his service, it seems
impossible he could mistake his father's name. Yet it would.

152 MEMORIE OF

of March, 1406, before Sir William Prestoune of
1406. Craigmiller. Ther is upon this service Sir Simon
Glendinning, Sir William Sinclair of Hermis-
toune, Sir John Forrester of Corstorphin, Sir
John Sandelands of Calder, Ralph Weir of Blaick-
wood, Sir Lewis Stewart of Minto, Robert Diell
of that ilk, John Mowat of Stennis, John Car-
michaell of that ilk, John Towers of Enderleith,
William Lawsone of Humbie, William Bannatyne
of Corhall, Thomas Somervill of Gillmertoune,
William Otterburne, William Somervill in Kelso.
All these barrones and gentlemen hes ther sealles
at this service, the armes visible, and ther names
legible to this day.

Whether this young gentleman, Sir Thomas
Somervill, deryved his nobilitie from his father
or acquyred it himself, is a thing very question-
able, as I have allready hinted at ; for undoubt-
edly his father Sir John, summoned to the parlia-
ment by King Robert the Third, in anno 1 396,
gave him the dignitie and title of a Lord of Par-
liament, which in effect is all that our ancient
lords hes for ther being peers of this realme ;
patents from the king for being lords was given

appear he certainly was so, since in several charters quoted by
Douglas, Sir Thomas is described as the son not of a Sir John
but of a Sir William Somerville.

THE SOMERVILLS. 153

but of late, as is nottour to all that knowes any
thing of antiquitie ; for this nobleman's father
and himself being designed Sir John and Sir
Thomas in severall writts that I have seen, it
sayes nothing. Men then wer ambitious of that
title of honour, being given mostly upon ane mi-
litarie account, which made them rather retaine
it then any other title of honour conferred upon
them by ther prince ; for which see the historie
of the Douglasses upon the subject, anent the
dignitie of good Sir James, the first raiser of that
noble familie to ther greatnes, who took no other
designatione then that of Sir James, albeit he and
his predecessors had been lords of parliament for
some ages preceeding. However, in this I shall
not be contentious, but follow the receaved opi-
nione, that this nobleman, Sir Thomas Somervill
of Lintoune and Carnwath, receaved that digni-
tie from King James the First, in his first parlia-
ment holden at Edinburgh in anno

King Robert the Third hearing that his eldest
sone, Prince David, was dead in Falkland, by pro-
curement of Robert Duke of Albanie (who aspy-
red to the croune) and James his second sone ta-
ken prisoner in his voyage to France by the
Englishmen, the king dyed of displeasure within
three dayes eftir he receaved these newes, when

]54 MEMORIE OF

he had reigned sexteinth years, being buryed in
Paslay, where lies queen had formerly been in-
terred. Eftir whose death, Robert Duke of Al-
banie, Earleof Fyffand Monteith, governed Scot-
land. This nobleman and hes successors pretend-
ed to be superiors unto all the lands of Gillmer-
toune, anciently belonging to the Herrings ; but
long eftir, in the reigne of King James the Fourth,
these lands wer found to be holden of David
Earle of Strathearne, King Robert the Second
his eldest sone, borne to him of Euphan, daugh-
ter to Hugh Earle of Rosse. However, this gen-
tleman knowing that Robert Duke of Albanie
had been his father's great patrone, and had
much kyndenes for himself, on him he constant-
ly depends both in the court and country, and
was with him in all the expeditiones he made in
the tyme of warr, which was but upon grand oc-
casiones. Much, if not all the militarie actiones
in that age, was committed to one or other of the
house or name of the Douglasses, ther followers
and dependers, as may be knowne from the tract
of our histories ; for in the year 1402, upon the
fyfth of May, (some three years before John bar-
rone of Lintoune and Carnwath dyed, and this no-
bleman came to his estate,) was fought by Archi-
bald, the fourth Earle of Douglas, that unfortunat

THE SOMERVILLS. 155

battell of Homildone, neer Millfeild in England,
wherin several lords and many barrones wer kill-
ed, and others taken prisoners, with the earle
himself; as, in the year preceeding the flour of
the youth of Louthian had been lost, with ther
captain, Patrick Hepburne of Heiles, at West
Nisbett, in the Merse, by ane encounter with the
Englishes, upon the twentieth and two day of
June, 1401, wherin the Earle of March his
sone did great disservice to his native country,
by comeing in to the English assistance with ane
hundereth fresh horse, which gave them the vic-
torie, and the Scots that great losse. These two
instances I have given, to evince that successe is
not allwayes intailled to names and families, or
the electione of leaders, let ther valor and con-
duct be never so much, but that some one man
or other of mean extractione, whose name and
familie hes never been heard of, may outvy them
in all ther glorie in militarie actiones. I need
not to be particular : both ancient and moderne
histories gives ane thousand examples. Oliver
Crumwell, in our oune tymes, a very remarkeable
one to our sad regrate. But to returne to this
gentleman, Sir Thomas. In the year 1407* he 1407.
renewes his sute to Marie Sinclair, second daugh-
ter to Henrie Sinclair, the third earle, and sister

156 MEMORIE OF

to William, the fourth Earle of Orknay, who had
marryed Elizabeth Douglas, daughter to Archi-
bald, the fourth Earle of Douglas, and the first
Duke of Turraine in France. See the titles be-
longing to this Earle of Orknay and his predeces-
sors in the historie of the Douglasses, which, as
that author observes, are enough to wearie a Spa-
niard. With this lady of eminent vertue and high
qualitie (being second to noe subject in Scotland)
did Sir Thomas Somervill of Carnwath match,1
and thereby did greatly innoble his blood and
incresse the honors of his familie, with whom he
lived very happilie, and in great honour, for the
space of twentieth and seven years, notwithstand-

1 This, however roundly affirmed, is unquestionably a mistake.
Or at least, if Sir Thomas did marry the lady mentioned in the
text, she must have been his second wife : For during his fa-
ther's life time, Robert II. grants a charter of the lands of Cam-
busnethan to Thomas Somerville, son and apparent heir of Sir
William Somerville, and to Janet Stewart his spouse, and the
longest liver of them, " which lands of Cambusnethan are
stated to have belonged to Sir Alexander Stewart of Darnlie
father of the said Janet Stewart, and must be considered as
being her dowery." Thus the author has erred, both as to the
time and manner in which his family acquired the estate of
Cambusnethan. The charter is dated July, 1392.

On the other hand, Douglas himself, under the article of the
Earls of Orkney, quotes a marriage between Mary, second
daughter of Henry first Earl of Orkney, and this Sir Thomas
Somerville. She must therefore have been his second wife.

THE SOMERVILLS. 157

ing of all the reellings and alterations that hap-
pened dureing the government of Robert Duke
of Albanie, Fyffand Monteith, and the four years
governement of his sone, Duke Murdoch, Earle
of FyfT and Monteith, from whom it would ap-
pear this gentleman's confyneing himself wholly
to the administratione of his domestick affaires,
he hes withdrawen his attendance upon some dis-
lyke against the governour, Robert Duke of Al-
banie, formerly his great protector and patrone ;
but now in all probabilitie estranged from him
when he became convinced that the duke had ac-
cessione to that unnaturall murder of Prince
David Duke of Rossay, sterved to death in Falk-
land, by the instigatione and practice of his
cruell uncle the Duke of Albanie, who being
hated of the nobilitie for this very occasione,
made most of these that had formerly much fa-
vour for him, withdraw ther attendance, as did
Sir Thomas Somervill eftir his marriage, and re-
tire himself to his castle at Cowthally, being
sufficiently secured from the envy of the court,
by being now allyad with two of the most noble
and powerfull families in Scotland, of his ladyes
neer relatione and kindred by father and mother.

In anno 1412, Thomas Somervill of Gillmer- 1412.
toune dying, he leaves the lands of Gillmertoune,

158 MEMORIE OF

Drum, and Gutters, to his nephew Sir Thomas
of Carnwath, rcserveing the life-rent of all these
iands to his lady Katharine Straton, which I find
she enjoyed not long ; for Sir Thomas came to
the possessione therof in the year 1415, which
is evident from tacks sett by him that year and
the year ensueing. In which year this gentleman
both enlarged, by the additione of some new
buildings, and strengthened the castle of Cow-
thally with a double ditch, broad and deep. The
ground, because of the neer neighbourhood of a
great mosse, afioorded much watter for the filling
up of these ditches. But seing the greatest build-
ing of this house was by Hugh, the first Lord
Somervill of that name, I shall wave the descrip-
tion therof untill wee come to wryte of him. As
for this noble gentleman being more strongly
allyed, and haveing a far more opulent fortune
by far then any of his predecessors, he lived in
peace at home, without concerneing himself with
the publict transactions of that tyme, or sydeing
with any of the grandies that mannadged the af-
faires of state, dureing King James the First his
captivitie or restraint in England.

The kingdome of Scotland being for eighteinth
1424. years without a king, James the First being re-

THE SOMEItVILLS. \5Q

turned from his captivitie,1 made it his busines
to set in order the disorders of a country wherin
every great man had played the pettie tyrrant.
The conditione of England, being then under a
minor king, gave him opportunitie, with his oune
allyance, to fear noe warr from thence. Ther-
fore, being entered upon his government, he
calles to accompt the former governours, father
and sone, who being guilty of some misdema-
nours which is not very expresse in our histories,
he strykes off ther heads, with Duncan Stewart
Earle of Lennox.1 The Earle of Douglas he im-
prisones with most of his freinds, followers, and
dependers. From this beginning did first aryse
the doune fall of that noble familie, whether by
ther oune procurement or not, I leave it to others

1 In forwarding this desirable event our author's ancestor
had a share, of which his descendant seems to have been igno-
rant; for it appears from Rymer's Faedera, vol. x. p. 301, that
Thomas Somervyle, Lord of Carnwath, was one of the embas-
sadors who, in 1423, were permitted to come to London to
treat for the ransom and deliverance of their sovereign. Tho-
mas Dominus de Somerville is also a warden of the Border in
1424.

• The author of the Memoirs appears to have been ignorant
that his ancestor, Thomas Somervile of that ilk, sat as one of
the assize by whom Murdoch Duke of Albany was attainted
©f high treason.

]60 MEMORIE OF

to judge that lies read the histories of these tymes.
The best of subjects may some tymes fail in ther
duty ; and it is ordinarie for princes to have ther
oune feares and jealousies, when one subject out
topes the rest, both in fortune and followers, as
this familie did by far all others in Scotland in
that age. The Earles of March, more ancient in
dignitie, being ther only competitors, found the
same or worse measure ; for, in the first parlia-
ment holden at Perth by this king, the Earle of
March was disinherited, and his familie for ever
put out of Scotland, notwithstanding of severall
attempts made by them eftirward for ther restau-
ratione. The other great branch of that name,
being the Earle of Murray, became likewayes
extinct, in a daughter, who marryed a brother of
the house of Douglas, which made ane end of
all the greatnes and honour of the sirname of
Dunbar, which had continued from the reigne of
Milcolumbus Canmuir, untill this very age where-
of wee now treat. Neither did the weight of the
king's displeasure fall upon these two families
alone ; but many of ther friends suffered upon
ther account, as yow may read at lenth in the
historie of the Douglasses. That which I shall
take notice off and observe, as to my purpose,
eoncerneing those tymes of ignorance, before the

THE SOMERVILLS. l(5l

reigne of Milcolumbus the Third, is the three
grand revolutions in the kingdome of Scotland
as to sirnames and families. The first, that which
happened in the reigne of this king before men-
tioned, Milcolumbus Canmuir, wherin, for the
most part, ther was not only a change of the an-
cient titles and designationes of the noblemen,
but also a subversione or alteratione of the great-
est part of the sirnames then in Scotland, besyde
the additione of many new ones that came in and
began at that same tyme. The sirname of Cum-
ming, whether originallie of this natione, or from
some other where, I will not take upon me to de-
termine ; but this is certane and knoune from our
historians, that noe name in Scotland, from the
year 1000 to the year 1306, which I make the
second period of tyme, floorished soe much as
did the name of dimming ; and that both in ho-
nour, riches and number ; who, of themselves,
being fyve earles and threttieth barrones or free-
holders, wer able to raise ane armie to defeat
Alexander the Third, took him prisoner, and
keeped him in Stirling castle untill they made
ther oune conditiones ; and all this by their oune
strenth, and without the assistance of any other
within or without the kingdome that wee hear
off. I would fain know whether the lyke has been

2

162 MEMORIE OP

practised in any natione, or what historie relates
that a particular sirname prevailled soe much
against ther prince and country, and made such
mad worke therin, not only in King Alexander's
reigne, but dureing the wholl interregnum, and
untill the restauratione of King David Bruce
from his captivitie, and his father King Robert
the Bruce, as did this sirname of Cummings.
However, at lenth, in this king's reigne (the se-
cond revolutione being in King Robert the
Bruce's and his sone's reigne,) they are brought
under ane perpetuall eclipse ; upon whose mine
the Dunbars, (albeit nobilitat before) the Doug-
lasses and Fleymings, with severall other families,
raised ther fortunes, by King David's gifts ;
greatnes and honours being conferred upon
them, much about the same tyme, by the doune-
fall of the Cummings. The third grand revolu-
tione and change of fortunes and sirnames in
Scotland, though not soe universall as in the two
former, happened in this king's reigne. King
James the First, by blackeneing the credite and
reputatione of the Douglasses, which they in a
manner had intailed to ther oune familie, for ane
hundereth years and upward, and by the mine-
ing the Earles of March, the Humes aryses out
of ther ashes, as did the great estate and honour

THE SOMERVILLS. 163

of the Hepburnes, the court favour of the Crech-
tounes and Livingstounes with the king, all of
whom, by his majesties discountenanceing the
Douglasses and banishing the D unbars, raised
ther oune fortunes and credit within the 'king*
dome ; which, notwithstanding, continued but
a few generations, as is evident from the histo-
ries of that tyme ; thereby teaching great men
that it is beyond ther foresight and industrie soe
to setle ther greatnes and honours as to intaille
them for ever to ther posteritie ; but that a word
mistaken or look unbeseeming may destroy in a
moment what many ages lies been rearing up,
yea, albeit ther be noe default or misgoverne-
ment in the partie to whom that misfortune may
happen, as is evident from many instances that
may be given, besyde those which I have men-
tioned.

Soe soon as his majestie aryved in Scotland,
Sir Thomas failled not to give his attendance,
with others of the barrones of Scotland, to con-
gratulate his majesties happie aryveal, where his
acceptance was answearable to his expectatione $
for a parliament being called to sitt at Edinburgh,
the Sir Thomas Somervill

of Carnwath is summoned as one of the ancient
barrones of Scotland, to give his attendance,

164 MEMORIE OF

wherby it is evident that from the sitting of that
parliament, and eftir the dissolveing therof, that
Sir Thomas of Carnwath is designed Lord So-
mervill ; * and albeit he was weill enough stalled
in his majesties favour, and secure enough by his
allya, yet he understood weill enough in what fa-
vour and esteem himself and his father Sir John

* There is something remarkable in the manner in which he
is designed in the nomination of Wardens of the Border in
1 424. The names are first given, and then are classified ac-
cording to the rank of those who bore them. But Thomas,
though designed Dominus de Somerville, is neither enumerated
among the lords or the knights. The classification follows :

" Pro Parte dicti Henrici Regis, Humfridus Dux Glouces-
trice, fya Thomas Dux Exonice, Edmundus Comes Marchice,
Riccardus Comes Warreivici, Henricus Comes Northumbrice,
Radulphus Comes Westmerlandice, Robertus Dominus de Wylugh-
by, Omnes Admiralli Maris prcedicti Regis Henrici, Custodes
Marchiarum Anglice versus Scotiam, Robertus Umfraville, et
Walterus Hungerford, Milites.

** Pro Parte vero prsfati Regis Jacobi, Murdacus Dux AU
lattice, Walterus Comes Atholice, Alexander Comes de Mar,
Archibaldus Comes de Wygeton, Georgius Comes Marchice,
Dominus Willielmus Constabularius Scotice, Johannes Dominus
de Seton, Thomas Dominus de Somervile, Jacobus Dominus de
Dalketh, Johannes Forster, Custodes Marchiarum Scot ice versus
Angliam,

" Qui quidem, Humfridus, Thomas, Duces ; Edmundus,
Riccardiis, Henricus, Radulphus, Comites ; Robertus, Dominus ;
Robertus, et Walterus, Milites. i

" Murdacus, Dux ; Walterus, Alexander, Archibaldus, Geor-
gius, Comites ; Johannes, Dominus; Jacobus, et Johannes."

THE SOMERVILLS. 165

had been in with the two former governors, fa-
ther and sone, which now fell under the king's
displeasure, and brought to the ground wTith them
most of ther followers and dependers. He there-
fore reteires from court, whill these stroakes were
a giveing,1 haveing as much honour as he desyred,
and ane estate much beyond many of the same
qualitie and degree : and as he was the first by
my calculatione that nobilitat the familie and
name of Somervill, in the house of Cowthally,
soe did he far exceed in greatnes of fortune all
the preceeding barrones of Lintoune and Carn-
watb, by acquyreing the barronie of Plain in the
shirreffdome of Stirling, either by conqueist or
excambione ; for it is certaine he made over the
right of a barronie of land which lay in the north
to the Lord Gordon, which at this present be-
longes to the Marques of Huntlie ; but where
that barronie lay, or the designatione of it, I can
give noe account. The young gentleman, from
whom I should have had my informatione, John
Leslie by name, that was master of the ancient
writtes and charters of this land, being unfortu-
nathe killed before I had opportunitie to see

1 A singular mistake, since he was actually one of the jurors
on the trial of Murdoch Duke of Albany, as already noticed

166 MEMORIE OF

these papers ; whereby it comes that I can give
noe better account of this affair.

It was dureing his reteirement from the court
that the pietie of his lady perswaded him, in imi-
tatione of others (who wer very bussie about this
tyme, in ther blind zeall, to gratifie and enrich
the church) to rebuild (which was then much
ruinous) the collegiat church of Carnwath, with
the yle therof, the which they dedicate to Saint
Marie, and endued the same with the soume of
ten merks yearly, to be payed out of the barronie
of Carnwath, which, as a mortificatione, is conti-
nued untill this day. For the particular year of
its foundatione I cannot be positive, seing the
year of God lies been omitted. However, by
other circumstances agreeing with that very tyme,
wee may conclude it hes been built betwext the
year 1425 and the year 1430 ; for in this year
ther is mention made of the collegiat church of
Carnwath in severall writtes and evidences that
I have seen. For the founder, the author of the
additione to Spotswood's Historie, is positive that
the collegiat church of Carnwath was built by
Thomas Lord Somervill ; for which see his book,
page twentieth and seventh. The yle itself is
but litle, however neatly and conveniently built,
opposite to the midle of the church : all'aisler,

THE SOMERVILLS. 167

both within and without, haveing pinickles upon
all the corners, wherin are engraven, besydes
other imagerie, the armes of the Somervills and
the Sinclaires, very discerneable to the occular
aspectione, albeit it be two hundereth and fyftie-
eight years since they wer placed there.1

In anno 1426, Thomas Lord Somervill goes to 1426.
the south to setle his affaires at Lintoune, the
borders being now in some quyetnes because of
the peace betwext the two kingdoms. His father
Sir John had but seldome visited that place, and
himself but at starts, before King James his re-
turne to Scotland ; but now, haveing continued
there some space, he caused repaire the church
and queir of Lintoune, with the ancient monu-
ment of his first predecessor in Scotland, and the
tower of Lintoune ; all which, by lenth of tyme,
and the perpetuall excursiones and burnings of
the English, in former ages, wer much decayed.
His predecessores, that reaped but small benerlte
from that barronie of Lintoune, in tyme of warr
betwext the two kingdomes, became carelesse of
ther concernes in that part of the country, which

1 The church of Carnwath is in a handsome style of Gothic
architecture, and is one of the few churches of country parishes
in Scotland wh/wh are so.

168 MEMORIE OF

may be the reasone that John Lord Somervill,
this lord's great grand childe, with the consent
of his tutors, Sir John of Quathquan, three score
years eftir, they sold it to the Kerrs now of Lin-
toune.1

Being returned from the south, he came to
Mid Louthian, and orders his affaires in Gillmer-
toune, from which lands he reaped as much be-
nefice, both in reall and casuall rent, as he did
from any other of his barronies within the natione,
haveing both coalles and lyme-stone in abund-
ance, with a constant and setled rent, being all
of it in Acker-dale land (except the Drum and
Gutters,*) duely payed, because of the neer neigh-
bourhead of the toune of Edinburgh. Being now
come to the west, he sets himself wholly to the
mannadgement and improveingof his great estate,
the country being then in peace as to any warr
with England.

This noble man being blessed with severall
children, wherof fyve being alyve, wer now come
to the state of men and women ; his eldest daugh-
ter, named Marie eftir her mother, this year 1427»
he marryes upon Sir William Hay of Yester 5

* The property has since passed to the Pringles of Clifton.

* Or Goodtrees, now called Moredun. U

THE SOMERVILLS. 16*9

and with her gave in portione the lands of Auch-
iermyre, called the out barronie of Cambusne-
then, being within the parish therof. Thir lands
belonging to the church the Lord Somervill held
them of the abbacie of Kelso or Melrose ; for I
am not certain to which of them they doe belong,
but that the house of Yester retaines them untill
this day, the same, of late, by this lord or the late
Earle of Yester, being fewed out to severall here-
tours, wherof the laird of Allitoune, " of the sir-
name of Stewart, is the most considerable. His
second daughter, named Geilles eftir his ladyes
another, he marryes upon Sir Robert Logan, laird
of Restating, who had in portione with her the
lands of Finningtoune, Becry-hill and Heathry-
hill, all lying within the barronie of Cambusne-
then, and parishen therof. Many years thereftir
I find thir lands resigned by the successor of the
laird of Restallrig in favours of Sir John of Quath-
quan, the first laird of Cambusnethen, from the
tyme that it became in a distinct familie from the
house of Cowthally, of whom he held them. His

* Allantoun. Some remarks afterwards escape from the au-
thor's pen unjustly derogatory to this ancient branch of the
house of Stewart, to which he was himself allied by the marriage
of Janet Stewart of Darnle with his ancestor Sir Thomas.

170 MEMORIE OP

youngest daughter, named Margaret eftir his oune
mother, he marryes upon the lard of Closseburne
in Niddisdale, of the sirname of Killpatrick,
whose sone Thomas, named eftir his grand-father
the Lord Somervill, wee will have occasione to
speak of in the memorie of his cussing the first
lord John. What portione in land or money this
lady had from her father I find not ; but it ap-
pears the house of Closseburne hes been very
weill satisfied with this match, by their gratitude
and thankfullnes to the house of Cowthally for
severall generationes thereftir.' Thus wee see this
noble man happy and fortunate in his oune match,
and in the matching of his daughters, being all
in his oune lifetyme marryed to gentlemen of
eminent qualitie, two of them cheif of ther names
and families. His sones, being two, William and
Thomas, wer hopefull young gentlemen as any
within the kingdome. Upon them he bestowed
such breeding (the best being rude enough) as

1 Roger Kirkpatrick of Closebume, who married Margaret,
daughter of Thomas first Lord Somerville, had by her two
sons, Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick of Closebume, knight, (who was
made keeper of Lochmaben castle in the year 1481,) and
Alexander Kirkpatrick of Kirkmichael, who received the ba-
rony of Kirkmichael from the king, as a reward for having ta-
ken prisoner James, the 9th and last Earl of Douglas, at the
battle of Burnswark, A.D. 1484.

THE SOMERVILLS. 171

that age was capable to give. As for his eldest
sone, he was knighted by King James the First
upon this occasione.1

King James the First's hard dealling, as was 14S0.
supposed (the first sex years of his reigne,) with
the principall of his nobilitie, by executing some,
banishing and imprisoning others ; this terrified
many, and startled all men of any account or emi-
nencie from attending the court ; wherby others
of minor ranke and qualitie had opportunitie first

1 " He also sat as a peer in the parliament held at Edinburgh,
anno 1429, and was by his majesty appointed justice-general
of Scotland besouth the river of Forth, which appears by an
authentic decreet pronounced by him, wherein he is designed
justiciarius domini nostri Regis, ex parte australi aqucs de Forth.
He passed sentence against the delinquents at Stirling, the 4th
day of November, in the year of God 1430. The decreet con-
cludes thus : In cujus rei testimonium, sigillum officii nostri ju-
diciarii est appensum, anno die mensis, et loco superscript.

" Immediately thereafter, Thomas Dominus Somerville was
appointed one of the wardens of the marches towards England
in December 1430.

" He married Janet, daughter of Alexander Stewart Lord
Darnly, ancestor of King James VI. with whom he got the
lands and barony of Cambusnethan, which is confirmed by a
charter from King Robert III. Thomce de Somerville, Jilio et
hceredi apparenti Willielmi de Somerville, miiitis, et Janetce Se'
nescal sponsce suce, et eorum viventi, omnes terras haronics de
Cambusnethan, fyc.jacen. in Vicecom. de Lanark, gucsjuerunt
dilecti consanguinei nostri Alcxandri Senescalli de Darnly, mi'
litis, 8f&> dated in July 1392.'' — Douglas's Peerage, p. 626.

172 MEMORIE OF

to be knoune, and then to insinuat themselves in
the king's favour. Amongst which number,
William Crichtoune and Alexander Livingstoune
gained soe much of the king's affectione that they
became his only minions ; all court favours pass*,
ing by them or ther creatures ; untill at lenth,
in the year 1430, the king's displeasure and in.
dignatione against these noblemen, whom he had
incarcerat, being now appeased, he releaved them
from prisone, and commands ther attendance at
court, where shortly thereftir they appear in
greater splendor then usually was seen in the
Scottish court ; and that because of the extraor-
dinary occasione that then offered itself, the bap-
tisme of two young princes the king's sones, be-
ing twinnes, at which solemnitie great part of the
nobilitie was present, and, amongst others, Tho-
mas Lord Somervill, who, being a nobleman of a
peaceable disposition e and noe wayes factious,
had never fallen under the king's displeasure. To
grace this solemnitie the more, the king was plea-
sed to make fyftieth knights. Of this number
was William, eldest sone and appearing heir to
Thomas Lord Somervill ; William, eldest sone to
Archibald Earl of Douglas, being the first that
was honoured with that dignitie of knichthood
from the king.

THE SOMERVILLS. 173

The Lord Somervill haveing remained some
tyme at court, and haveing kissed his majestie's
hands, returnes to Cambusnethen, where, for the
tyme, his familie resided, with a resolution e for
the future to be seen as seldome at court as pos-
sible, finding, by the litle stay he made there, that
the ancient nobilitie and barrones was rather sus-
pected of factione then favoured of the king and
court. Alexander Livingstoune and William
Crichtoune, both small barrones, and not of the
ancient nobilitie, as the author of the historie of
the Douglasses assertes (how truely I shall not
say nor enquyre eftir, being non of my concernes)
had now the guiding of the king. All matters of
any moment passed by ther hands, to the great
indignatione of such of the nobilitie as thought it
ther place, both in respect of ther qualitie and
birth, to have a greater share in the mannadge-
ment of state affaires then was allowed to them ;
being never or seldome called to counsell dure-
ing this king's reign. However, I find in the year 1454.
1434, his majestie was pleased to ratifie and con-
firme Sir Thomas, now Lord Somervill, in all his
barronies of Lintoune, Carnwath, and Cambusne-
then, with the superioritie of the toune and ter-
ritorie of Gillmertoune ; all which barronies held
immediatly of the croune, except the lands of

174» MEMORIE OF

Auchtermuir in the barronie of Cambusnetheny
and the lands of Inglisberry-grange in the bar-
ronie of Carnwath, which held of the kirk, and
these of Gillmertoune, which held formerly of the
Earle of Strathearne, now likewayes fallen in the
king's hands, by that earle's forfaulture. This
confirmatione is dated at

the tenth day of November, 1434. Eftir this I
find <not the Lord Somervill present at court dure-
ing this king's reigne, which was three years eftir
this nobleman's death, who now lived at home
and looked eftir his private affaires. For his eld-
est sone Sir William, he abode for the most part
with his uncle the Earle of Orkney, when he re-
mained either at Roslain or in Edinburgh, in
company of Sir William Sinclair his cussing, eftir-
ward great chancellor of Scotland. Some years
before his death he had setled his eldest sone in
the barronie of Plain ; for, by severall writts that
I have seen, and others that are in my custodie,
I find him designed Sir William Somervill of
Plain, appearing heir to Thomas Lord Somervill.
It appears this setlement hes been made to Sir
William when his marriage was first divulged,
upon the bearing of his eldest sone John, eftir-
ward Lord Somervill ; for this gentleman had
marryed secretly in the year 1428 or 1429, the

THE SOMERVILLS. 175

daughter of Sir John Mowat of Stennis, because
he could not procure the consent of lies father
nor mother to that match, albeit the young lady
was to be one of the co-heirs of her father's estate,
and of herself deserved very weill ; but the Lord
Somervill and his lady designed a farr greater
match for ther sone, especially his lady mother,
who, being a lady of great birth, had a spirit an-
s wearable thereto. *

To Thomas his youngest sone he gives the
lands of Racklay, within the barronie of Carn-.
wath. Of this gentleman, Thomas, sone to Tho-
mas Lord Somervill, to the best of my inquirie,
are descended the Somervills now of Gladstones.
But more of this in the life of the first Lord Hugh,
where occasione will be given to treat more am-
plie of that familie. The last evidence that I find
of this nobleman is a charter granted be him to
and in favours of William, chancellor of Scheill-
hill, wherin he continues to him the lands of
Scheill-hill and Quathquan. This charter is da-
ted at the month of
1432, and is the eldest evidence that that gentle-
man lies of his lands. As for this nobleman, Tho-
mas Lord Somervill, he was most fortunat and
successefull in all his affaires both publict and
privat, haveing disposed of his children, and set-

176 MEMORIE OF

led his busines before his death, in the order all-
ready rehearsed. He sickned in August, and
dyed of a flux in December thereftir, 1434, being
then in the fyftieth and nynth year of his age.
Ther was not any of the name of Somervill, either
in England or Scotland, had more honour or a
greater estate then this nobleman, nor was ther
any that marryed ther daughters better and more
honourably then he did. Haveing left a hopefull
successione of two sones and three daughters, he
rested from his laboures and was buryed within
theyle of Carnwath, built by himself, wherin eftir-
ward his lady, dame Marie Sinclaer, was interred :l

1 This aisle is still standing, and after Cuthally passed from
the family of Somerville, was used as a burial place for the
Dalzells, Earls of Carnwarth, and since for the Lockharts of
Lee. It is a Gothic building of some architectural merit. The
church itself, as appears from the following record, was founded
in 1386, and endowed by this Lord Somerville in 1424, with
some lands which the relict of one of his successors in vain
endeavoured to resume.

A. D. 1495, xix Octobris. — " In presens of ye lordis of con-
sale, Marioun Laidy Someruale protestit that sen Sir Johne
Inglis chapellane, wes requirit be our souerane lordis letrez, to
bring with him ye letrez of mortification and gift yat he haid
of ye kingis hienes of a part of ye Iandis of Cambusnethane,.
assignit to Sanct Michaelis chapell at Cambusnethain, and yat
he beand personally present and producit na charter nor mor-
tificatioun of ye kingis hienes of ye saidis Iandis, yat yarfore
scho might broik ye saidis Iandis as hir coniunct feftment but
vexatioun of ye said chapellain, as efferis of ju.stice."

THE SOMERVILLS. 177

a lady of high qualitie and eminent vertue, as
was also her mother-in-law, Margaret Edmond-
stoune, both of them contributeing much for the
honour and greatnes of the house of Cowthally.

Of William, the Second of that Name, the Eight
Barrone of Lintoune, the Fyfth o/Carnwath,
the T7iird of Cambusnethen, the Second Lord
Somervill, and the Therteinth from Sir Gualter
de Somervill, Lord qfWhichenour.

Thomas Lord Somervill dying in December, in
the year 1434, Sir William, Barrone of Plain, was
served heir to him in the barronies of Carnwath,
Lintoune and Cambusnethen, and the lands of
Gillmertoune, by a breifF out of the chancellarie

" In presens of ye lordis Sir Johne Inglis chapellain producit
certane instruments transumptis and charteris anent ye foun-
datioun of a chapellanry of Sanct Michalis chapel! of Cambus-
kinnethane, ane of ye ferd day of Julii, in ye yere of God
imiiiclxxxvi yen's. Item a charter maid be William Someruale
Lord of Carnenath, of ye dait of ye xx. day of Aprile, in ye
zere of God, imiiiicxxiiii. yeris, and alss producit a sentence
diffinitue gevin be ye officiale of Glasgw, aganis Marioun Laidy
Someruale in ye said matter." — Records, p. 4-6 1»

M

178 MEMORIE OJ

the tenth day of June, 1435,1 before Sir Hendrie
Prestoune of Craigmiller, sherrif principall and
provest of the toune of Edinburgh. Upon this
inqueist, ther was these gentle men whose names
follow : William Baillzie of Lamingtoune, John
Gerdoune of Aplegirth, Henrie Weir elder of
Blaickwood, John Lauder of Hatton, Robert
Logane of Restallrig, Sir John Edmondstoune
of Edmondstoune, Sir William Borthuick of Bor-
thuick, William Fairlie of Braid, James Fallsyde
of that ilk, Sir William Moubray of Barnebougill,
Sir Alexander Damahoy of that ilk, William
Lindsay of Cavingtoune, and Roger Killpatrick
of Closseburne. Thir gentlemen being barrones,
hes ther sealles appended to this retour, upon red
wax, enclosed in white, as the custome then was.
This service being over, William Lord Somervill
bringcs his young lady from her fathers house of
the Stannas, where she had still remained with
her father, untill the death of Thomas Lord So-
mervil], her father-in-law ; but now came to Jive
at Cambusnethen, her mother-in-law keeping her
constant residence in the castle of Cowthally,

1 The death of the first Lord, and the succession of the se-
cond, are placed by Douglas ten years later. But the writer of
the Memoirs" quotes from the service lying before him.

THE SOMERVILLS. 179

with whom she was not yet reconcealled, nor yet
with her sone for ther disorderly marriage. How-
ever, the year eftir her husband's death, by the
mediatione of freinds, particulate by her three
sones-in-law and her youngest sone, she was
brought to hearken to the proposalls made by
Sir John Mowat of Stannas, in order to a settle-
ment of the fourth part of his estate in portione
with his daughter Janet Mowat, which according-
ly was now done, neer ten years eftir her marriage
With William, now Lord Somervill. In this con-
tract Dam Marie Sinclair Lady Somervill, is a
partie consenter. By this marriage, and the con-
tract so long eftir did the Lord Somervills get
right to the fourth part of the barronie of Stan-
nas, wherinto I find this Lord William's sone,
Lord John, served heir to his father, eftir his
death.

William Lord Somervill, being now agreed
with his mother and secured in the fourth part 14-36.
of his father-in-law his estate, by right of his lady,
in imitatione of his father was not very curious
in makeing any interest at court, his father have-
ing left him ane opulent fortune without any
burding or trouble ; but the liferent of his mo-
ther, who liferented the wholl barronie of Carn-
wath, except soe much therof as her youngest

180 MEMORIE OF

sone Thomas had in proppertie for his patrimo*
nie. It was in this year, upon the twentieth and
one or twentieth and two dayes of February, 1436,
sayes Drummond ; but others in the year 1437,
that King James the First was killed in the Black-
friers, in the toune of Saint Johnstoune, by Pa-
trick Grahame and Robert Stewart, at the insti-
gatione of Walter Stewart Earl of Atholl, this
king's father's brother by the Earle of Rosses
daughter, who pretended to be rightfull heir to
the croune, and alleadged he was wronged and
defrauded by. the sone of Elizabeth Muir, who
was only a concubine as he alleadged.

This fatall stroak being given, when all or most
of the nobilitie was absent from court, and some
of the most eminent out of the country, such as
Archibald, fyfth Earl of Douglas, and severall
others with him, so that the Earle of Atholl had
opportunitie, first to contryve and then to execute
his divellish treasone, against the persone of his
soveraigne, who was murdered in his oune bed-
chamber, by the bloodie hands of these miscre-
ants before named, all of whom thereftir suffered
condigne punishment suiteable to the heinousnes
of ther execrable cryme, as is at lenth related by
our historians. Ane moneth or therby eftir the
king's death, his sone James the Second was

THE SOMERVILLS. 181

crouned at Edinburgh, the tenth of March, J 437,
at whose coronatione, with others of the nobilitie,
William Lord Somervill appeares, and was the
more gracious to the court, who now intended
the calling of a parliament for secureing ther
oune interest, and setleing the government upon
themselves dureing the king's minoritie, which
made them carasse such of the nobilitie as had
either favoured them in the late king's reigne, or
stooden neutrall and indifferent who governed,
they or that factione of the nobilitie that at this
tyme soared high in ther pretentiones, more (as
was supposed) then was fitting for subjects ; ■ the
Lord Somervill being one of those that adhered
to noe syde, had the more favour, and stood in
good tearmes both with Livingstoune and Crich-
toune, who, by this parliament and the court fac-
tione, wer made the one governour and the other
chancellor of Scotland, which highted exceeding-
lie the envy of such of the nobilitie that had still

1 la 1449, he is appointed one of the Scottish conservators
of the truce between England and Scotland then concluded.
Rymer, xi. p. 254. In 1451, he is one of the ambassadors of
Scotland, nominated in a royal safe-conduct, and in the same
year we find him once more a conservator of the peace, which
he had probably a share in the establishing — Ibid. p. 286. 300.

182 MEMORIE OF

opposed them, especially the Earle of Douglas,
who, by reteiring from the court, and confyne-
ing all actiones civill and criminall to his oune
regalitie courts, which wer endued with large
priviledges, granted to the house of Douglas of
old by former kings to the diminishing much of
ther oune authoritie, and such as governed under
them, as in the present caice of Livingstoune and
Chrichtoune, whose authoritie was contemned
notwithstanding of ther high places, the executive
part of the law being frustrat as haveing noe force
to compell obedience to justice, when requyred
by them ; and that allmost in noe part of the
kingdome, but more particularly Annandale men,
accustomed to thift and robberie, begane to vex
the neighbouring shyres with dry veing away ther
goods by open force and violence as from ene-
mies. This the governours could not redresse
nor punish. The evill still increassed to the ruine
of the country, the blame wherof the governour
and chancellor shifted from themselves, and laid
the fault upon the discontented nobilitie, and
especially upon the Earle of Douglas, who, to
speak the truth, was only able to restrain e these
villanies, in that part of the country, as being of
greatest authoritie and command there.

THE SOMERVILLS. 183

But, as if the natione had not suffered enough
by these robberies, the governour and chancellor
at lenth falles at variance, sending out contrary
edicts and proclamation es, each contradicting
what the other commanded, and both pretend-
ing the king's authoritie. Soe that considering
the minoritie of the king, the discontent of the
nobilitie and difference betwext the governours,
with the nakednes and brocken conditione of the
country, the wholl kingdome might easilie have
been preyed on by the English. A fitter oppor-
tunitie never offered itself since the reigne of
John Balioll, then at this tyme ; but it was the
good fortune of our natione to have noe warr
with them dureing the king's minoritie. All these
occurrences are soe fully spocken to and soe
largely represented upon the governour and chan-
cellor's part, by the author of the historie of the
Douglasses, that I passe them in a word j for if
all be true that he wrytes concerning Living-
stoune and Crichtoune, they have been divelles
rather then men, and that not only in the death
of the Earle of Douglas and his brother unjustly
executed in the castle of Edinburgh, when it
might rationally be supposed he could not be
guiltie of any great cryme (if being a great sub-
ject was not one) seing he had scarcelie attained

1 84 MEMORIE OF

to the sexteinth year of his age, ' a tragedie foolie
acted, and never enough to be lamented : for
which these gentlemen eftirward suffered both in
ther persones and in ther estates. And, as if this
had not been enough and too much, the author
makes the wholl surcease of ther governements a
mountebankes play, which they acted with the
greatest fraudes imaginable, towards all men and
to one another, when open force could not doe
ther turne. And, indeed, laying asyde the pre-
judice that that author might justly have against
them, upon the account of the Douglasses, ther
actiones are notjustifieable even in the judgement
of these that lived in that age, as any may observe
by peruseing our histories, where they shall find
much of the disorders of the tymes imputed to
ther pride.* But this being noe part of my bussi-

1 The curious and ancient Chronicle of the reign of James
II. states him to be eighteen years old. Ambition has rarely
had a more short career.

1 " There was a confederation made betwixt thir earls and
their friends, [viz. the Earl of Douglas, and the Earls of Craw-
ford, Ross and Murray,] with a solemn oath, that the injuries
done to any of them, or the soberest of them, or their adhe-
rents, should be equal quarrel to them all, contrary whatsome-
ever men in or forth of this realm ; and to spend their lives,
lands and gear, to the revenge of the same.

" Through this covenant the Earl of Douglas grew so proud

THE SOMERVILLS. J 85

nes to examine, that which I take notice of is,
that the Lord Lome and his brother Sir James
Stewart, who had marry ed the queen mother, be-
ing imprisoned, and the queen herself confyned

and insolent, that they boasted in all parts wherever they came,
to have the rule and guiding of the realm against all men's vviil,
and to have their enemies utterly exterminate. But this am-
bitious and vain vaunting was not pleasant in the sight of God :
For vain pride and ambitiousness cometh never of God, but
allenarly of the devil, who is the master of pride.

" In the meantime the king began of new to hate the house
of Douglas because of their ambitiousness. Another cause
there was ; because some thieves of Douglasdale had berried
all the lands pertaining to John Heres, a nobleman and faith-
ful subject to the king's majesty at all times ; whereof, when
this Heres had oft and diverse times complained and sought
redress thereof from the Earl of Douglas, and could never get
remeid, he took purpose to recompence the same wrong be-
cause he got no justice. But this attempt succeeded very un-
happily ; for in the herying of Anandale, he was taken with
his complices and brought to the Earl of Douglas, where he
was casten in irons, and thereafter hanged shamefully, as if he
had been a thief, notwithstanding the king's commandment in
the contrary and other messages sent to that effect.

M The king took very heavy with* this high contempt, but
suppressed it for the time. Attour the poor people were so
overcome and burdened with importable charges, that there
was no life for them ; and yet notwithstanding they durst not
plainzie nor lament ther own misery in thir troubleous times,
and therefore day by day, mischief began more to encrease.
Other noblemen that were full of substance had no will of dis-
cord, but abhorred all utterly thir civil wars rising among them-
selves, and lamented quietiy thir dangers and calamities which
lay not within their power to quench. This mischief daily in-

1 86 MEM0R1E OF

to her chamber in Stirling castle, under a pretext
forsooth that they keeped intelligence with the
enemies of the state ; and these wer the Doug-
lasses as they would have perswaded the natione.

creased so much that all men took suspicion, that thir Earls of
Douglas, Crawford, Murray and Ross, with their assisters, which
was the greatest part of the realm, should hastily depose the
king out of his authority. Which suspicion being shewn to the
king, he took great fear thereof; for he knew well that their
faction was as potent (if they were not more potent) than him-
self.

" At this time the Earl of Douglas cast himself to be stark
against the king ; and therefore sought and perswaded all men
under his opinion and servitude, and in special the gentlemen
of Galloway, with Coile, Carrick, and Cuningham, and all
other parts that were near adjacent unto him, desiring them
daily to rise and go with him as his own house-hold men and
servants, and to assist him in all things whatsoever he had
ado, whether it was right or wrong, with the king or against
him. But some other wise men seeing the danger appear-
ing of the Earl of Douglas's proceedings contrary to the
king and his authority, therefore would not assist him, nor
take part with him, nor ride nor gang with him, nor be his
man. Among the rest of thir there was one Maclellan, who
was tutor of Bomby for the time, and sister's son to Sir Patrick
Gray, who was master of Gray and principal servitor to the
king and captain of his guard. This Maclellan, for love he bore
to the king's grace and to the ministration of justice, would on
no ways serve and ride with the Earl of Douglas, contrary the
king or his authority, nor yet to oppress the commonwealth of
the country, but kept him quietly within his bounds, doing no
man wrong. The Earl of Douglas seeing this, that this man
would not serve him, came quietly unto his house with a great
number of men, and sieged it, and wan it, and took him out of

THE SOMERVILLS. 1 87

To setle this affair, and set the queen at libertie,
ther is a convention e of the lords called the third
of August, 143S. To this conventione conies 1139.
William Lord Somervill of purpose to doe the

the same, and had him to the castle of Douglas, and cast him
there in strait prison. His friends seeing this, passed to the
court to Sir Patrick Gray, to show him the manner thereof how
it stood with his sister's son. The which when Sir Patrick Gray
heard the novels, he was heavily displeased at the matter, and
passed hastily to the king, and shewed him the manner how it
stood with his sister's son, desiring the king's grace for to de-
liver him his sister's son which the Earl of Douglas had in cap-
tivity and prison for the time. The king granted very thank-
fully the same, and caused write a sweet letter of supplication
to the Earl of Douglas for to deliver the tutor of Bomby to Sir
Patrick Gray, his eame.

" This writing being subscribed and signeted with the king's
signet, thereafter delivered to Sir Patrick Gray, to use the same
as he thought cause ; who passed away hastily with the said
writing and supplication of the king to the Earl of Douglas,
who was then in the castle of Douglas at the time sitting at his
dinner ; and hearing told that Sir Patrick Gray, the king's fa-
miliar servant, was lighted at the gate, the earl marvelled much
at the matter what that could mean, and caused incontinent
draw the gates, and rose and met the said Sir Patrick with great
reverence and humility, because he was the king's principal cap-
tain, and secret servant and familiar to his grace ; therefore the
e? -1 veceived him with more thanks : But all was under colour
and deceit, for the earl had no favour to the king, nor to any
of his familiars ; yet he enquired at the said Patrick if he had
dined. Who answered he had not. Then the Earl of Douglas
said, there was no talk between a full man and a fasting; there-
fore you shall dine, and we shall talk together at length.

188 MEMORIE OF

queen service. He understood weill enough the
juglings betwext the governour and the chancel-
lor in this matter, as in all other affaires of state,
but he forboor to take notice therof ; and only

" In this meantime Sir Patrick Gray sat down to his dinner,
and the earl treated him and made him good chear, whereof
Sir Patrick Gray was well contented, believing all things to
succeed well thereafter. But the Earl of Douglas on the other
part took a suspicion and conjecture what Sir Patrick's com-
mission was, and dreading his desire should be for his friend the
tutor of Bomby ; therefore in the meantime, when they were at
the dinner talking of merry matters, the earl caused quietly take
forth the master of Bomby out of prison and have him to the
green, and there struck off his head, and took the same away
from him, and syne covered a fair cloath on his body that no-
thing might be seen of that treasonable act that was done.

" In this meantime, when dinner was done, Sir Patrick Gray
presented the king's writing unto the earl, who reverently re-
ceived it ; and when he had read it, and considered the effect
thereof, he gave great thanks to Sir Patrick Gray, saying, he
was beholden to him, that brought so familiar a writing from
his prince to him, considering how it stood between them at
that time : and as to the desire and supplication, it should be
thankfully granted to the king ; and the rather for Sir Patrick's
sake. And took him by the hand and led him forth to the green
where the gentleman was lying dead, and shewed him the man-
ner, and said, Sir Patrick, you are corns a little too late ; but
yonder is your sister's son lying, but that he wants the head :
Take his body and do with it what you will. Sir Patrick an-
swered him again with a sore heart, My lord, if ye have taken
from him his head, dispone upon the body as ye please. And
with that called for his horse and leaped thereon ; and when he
was on horseback he said to the earl on this manner, My lord,

THE SOMERVILLS. . 189

dealles with the chancellor, with whom he had
some interest upon his ladyes account of freind-
ship* and his oune neighbourhead in Mid-Lou-
thian, to become a mediator for the queen, which
at lenth he did with others j and so her majestie
was set at libertie ; haveing given Sir Alexander
Seatoune (who was the first Earle of Huntly)
cautioner, that she sould pay four thousand
merkes to the governour.* This, with other sup*

if I live you shall be rewarded for your labours that you have
used at this time, according to your demerits.

" At this saying, the earl was highly offended and cried for
his horse. Sir Patrick seeing the earl's fury, spurred his horse ;
but he was chased near to Edinburgh ere they left him ; and
had it not been his lead horse was so tried and good he had
been taken. But when thir news came to the king he was hea-
vily discontented therewith, both of the slaughter, then of the
chasing of his servant. To that effect the king called his secret
counsel to advise hereupon what was the best to be done for
to danton this wicked man, that could no ways be stenched from
reif, oppression, and slaughter both of great men and small." —
Pitscottie, p. 37.

1 Owing to the connection and friendship between the houses
of ltosline and Crichtoun.

* M,CCCC,XXXIX. That samyn year, the lord Kalendar
Schir Alexander Levingstoun, that tyme beand in the castell of
Sterling with the quene, tuke the quene and put hir in ane
chalmer, and kepit hir stratlye tharin, till scho was lowsit by
the thre estatis, at the counsall haldin at Strivling that samyn
year, the last day of August. And that samyn tyme he tuke
Schir James Stewart, the Lord of Lornis brother, and William
Stewart, and put tham in pittis, and bollit thame. At that samyn

10,0 MEMORIE OF

posed crymes eftirward was highly aggravated
against the governour and chancellor, when they
fell under the king's displeasure.

The tymes still growing worse dureing the
king's minoritie, Lord Somervill keeped himself
1441. at home, without declaiming for any interest,
seing his majesties persone was not in danger nor
his authoritie questioned in the persone of his
ministers, or such as had power by ther office, by
any partie ; pride and ambitione in the nobilitie,
covetousenes and arbitrable command and over-
ruleing in the governour and the chancellor was
the main groundes of the quarrellings and the
confusion es that followed therupon, wherin the
Lord Somervill conceaved himself not concerned,
as haveing no dependance upon either factiones,
but in soe far as they mynded the honour and
safetie of the king, the peace of the natione, and
the weill fare of the country. In the year 1444,
the king takes the government upon himself.
Upon which the Lord Somervill gives his attend-
ance at court ; and was present at the receptione

counsall Schir James was borrowit be the Lord Gordoun, Schir
Alexander Setoune, Lord of the Ylis, Schir William of Crech-
toun that tyme chanceller, under the pane of three thousand." —
A short Chronicle of the Reign of James II. p. 33.

THE SOMERVILLS. 19 1

of William Earle of Douglas, sone and heir to
grosse James Earle of Douglas, and cussing to
William, execute in Edinburgh castle. This no-
bleman, by reasone of his great estate, the house
of Douglas hitherto being still upon the growing
hand, and the large fortune that came to him by
marrying his oune cussing Beatrix Douglas, called
the Fair Maiden of Galloway, was, for opulencie
of state, strenth of allyaes, in consanguinitie and
affinitie, many vassalles and dependers, with a
numerous traine of followers, being far greater in
all these then any of his predecessores, made him
not only the envy of his equalles in dignitie, but
also the terror of his oune prince and country,
which at lenth ruined this noble familie, in the
persones of this same earle and his successor.
Howbeit, at this tyme he had a kynde receptione
from the king, haveing acknowledged his error,
and promised all subjectione and obedience for
the future to his majesties commands. The
Earle of Douglas haveing now accesse, and in
favour with the king, presently proceeds against
Livingstoune and Crichtoune, accuseing them of
diverse crymes, as malversation in ther particular
offices j but more especially for the death of his
cussing and Malcome Fleyming of Comernald,
wrongously slain by the governour and chancel-

1^2 MEMORIE OF

lor in Edinburgh castle. Thir two gentlemen be-
ing summoned to a certane day, they durst not
compear personally, but answears by procurators,
that they wer ready to give ane account of ther
government and all things else before equall
judges; but, for the present, when all accesse
was closed up with armed men, the king behoo-
ved to pardone them. Upon this refuiseall, a se-
cond citatione being given, and then not com-
pearing, they were denunced rebelles in a con-
ventione of states keeped at Stirling the fourth
of November, and all ther goods connscat and or-
dered to be brought in for the king's use.1

Dureing the prosecutione of this affair, ther is

a parliament called to be held at Perth, but sat

1M5. at Edinburgh in the beginning of February ] 445.

The castle of Edinburgh being at this tyme be-

seidged, the king was at lenth surrendered by

* " There was ane counsall general! haldin at Strivling, the
ferd day of November, in the hender end of the quhilk coun-
sall they blewe out on Schir William of Crechtoun, and Schir
George of Crechtoun, and thar advertence. Incontinent efter the
outblawing, Sir George and Sir William tuke away Schir Jhon
Fosteris gudis, that is to say, schepe and nolt. And syne Schir
George tuke the Erll of Douglas horse, and brynt his grangis
of Abircorne and Strabrok, and uthir five placis, and brynt the
samyn tyme the Blaknestis/' — Short Chronicle of James II. p.
3€.

THE SOMERVILLS. 193

Crichtoune and himself pardoned, as our histo-
rians wrytes of his supposed crymes. To the ra-
tificatione of this pardone and remissione by the
king and parliament, William Lord Somervill is
witness, and his seall append therto ; but it fared
much worse with the late governour and his sones,
James and Robert Livingstounes, ther cussing
David, and friend Robert Bruce, and the two
Dimdasses, being all summoned to this parlia-
ment, wer convict, found guiltie, and had ther
sentence ; the father and the two Dundasses to
perpetual imprisonment, the two sones, with
David Livingstone and David Bruce, to lose ther
heads. It was at this parliament that William
Lord Somervill became intimate with Adam
Hepburne Lord Hailles, who was now growing
in this king's favour, as his sone and grandchilde
Patrick Earle of Bothwell did in that of his three
next successors, untill ther pride and ambitione,
attended with courtlynes, ruined them in the
reigne of Queen Marie to ther everlesting igno-
minie. However, in this king's reigne and by his
favour they wer first nobilitat and eftirward en-
riched with a great part of the Earles of March
ther estate, and then with that of Chancellor
Crichtounes, whose castle of Crichtoune, when
he was made Earl of Bothwell, by King James

N

194 MEMORIE OF

the Fourth, he made his principall residence, as
ther buildings doe yet testified It was with this
nobleman's eldest daughter Hellen Hepburne,
that William Lord Somervill contracts his eldest
sone and heir John Barrone of Carnwath, to whom
he gave the barronie of Lintoune ; which was all
the land his father infeft him in before his oune
death. This marriage being agreed upon, as the
contract beares, upon the twentieth of February,
1445, the conditions being that John Somervill,
sone and appearing heir to William Lord Somer-
vill, should marrie and take to his lawfull wife,
Hellen Hepburne, eldest lawfull daughter to
Adam Hepburne Lord Hailles, and that betwext
and the last of Jully in the next year following.
In satisfactione of which marriage, and upon the

1 The buildings, now ruinous, still show the ancient splen-
dour of the house of Bothwell. 'Ihey form a large quadran-
gular court surrounded by buildings of various ages, from the
.small square tower which may have been the dwelling of the
Crichtons, while yet lesser barons, to a suite of apartments di-
vided between the splendour of a palace and the dignity of a
castle, and occupying the eastern side of the square. These
were probably built, either by the profligate lover of Queen
Mary, or by his father. The stile of architecture has a mix-
ture of elegance not to be usually met with in the Scottish feu-
dal castles, though frequently occurring in those of England
during the 16th century.

THE SOMERVILLS. 195

accomplishment of the same, William Lord So-
mervill, father to the said John, should receave
the soume of three thousand merkes passing mo-
ney in Scotland, to be paid at four severall times
eftir the day of the marriage. This contract lies
noe inscriptione of hands ; but only the parties
and witnesses designed hes sex sealles appended
therto, which are the Hepburnes, the Hayes,
Sinclaires, Prestounes, Baillzies, and Somervills.
The marriage was solemnized at the castle of
Hailles the tenth of Jully, 1446, which they 1446.
reckoned and began the year, as wee doe now.
It was more nor a year and a half eftir the con-
tract ; but I rather beleive that they began ther
year with the first of March ; and soe ther inter-
veened but four monthes betwext the contract
and the marriage.

This marriage being over, the Lord Somervill
returnes home weill satisfied with the choyse he
had made for his sone, and that both in respect
of the qualitie and vertue of the young lady, as
also in regaird of the security he promised him-
self from the court factione in that reeling tyme,
wherin the wholl country for many years eftir
was still in a combustione, occasioned principal-
lie by the king and courtiers jealousies of the
Earle of Douglas, who now haveing dashed the

196 MEM0R1E OF

chancellor and governour, some of Livingstounes
execute, others imprisoned and forfaulted, with
Bishop Kennedie's persone and goods, by ther
secret assisters exposed as a prey to them that
was pleased to take them ; and severall other oc-
currences that fell out at that tyme, created the
Earle of Douglas many enemies, albeit he was
yet in the king's favour, notwithstanding of
Crichtoune's renued courtship in being imployed
as ambassador for to bring home the Queen Marie,
the Duke of Quildirt's daughter," which he peiv
formed to the satisfactione of the king and coun-
try ; and yet it is to be observed that in the year
1 447,* he was forfaulted by vertue of ane act he
was instrumentall to make himself, viz. the keep-
ing out of a house or castle being summoned by
ane herauld of armes, was declared treasonable.
This is supposed to have reached himself and
the Livingstones the first of any men within this
kingdome ; for the chancellor being summoned
to delyver up his castle of Crichtoune, upon the

x Mary, daughter of the Duke of Gueldres, landed in Scot-
land, 17th June, 1449.

* This is a mistaken date. Douglas was at I his period in high
power and favour, and held the lieutenancy of the kingdom.

THE SOMERVILLS. 197

refirisall that very act did militat against him-
self.

The same year, 1447, I find ane charter of 144-7.
new infeftment, granted by William Lord Somer-
vill, designed of New Bigging, in favours of
Walter Ogilvie of that ilk, to a sex oxgate of
land within the toune of Quathquan, belonging
formerly to John Auchinleck of that ilk. The
charter is dated at Edinburgh, the
day of 1447. Like way es in the

same year, the first of October, the Lord Somer-
vill contracts his eldest daughter Marie, eftir
his oune mother, upon Ralph Weir, and gives
in portione with her two thousand merkes, pay-
able at four termes ; for the payment of this
soume, he binds himself, his eldest sone, John
Barrone of Carnwath, John Lockhart of Clog-
horne, and John Chancellor of Scheill-hill. Three
years thereftir, he marryes his youngest daugh-
ter Janet upon James Cleilland, sone and heir to
William Cleilland of that ilk. The portione is
ane thousand and fyve hundereth merkes, pay-
able at three termes, and twentieth milk kyne
with ther followers.

It was happy for the country that during these
intestine broyles and the king's minoritie, ther
was noe forraigne war from the year 1423 to the

]()8 MEMORIE OF

year 14*48; in all which tyme, being the wholl
reigne of King James the First, to the eleventh
year of King James the Second, ther had been
noe warr with England. But this year, 1448,
Dumfreis was burnt by the Earle of Salisbury,
and Dumbar spoyled by the Earle of Northum-
berland. In recompence whereof, James Doug-
las, brother to William Earle of Douglas, burnes
the toune of An week1 in England. This was the
beginning and preparative to a great battell that
followed that same year ; for the seven year's
truce being first brocken by the English, the
Scots therupon took occasione to waste all Cum-
berland, and, in a manner, depopulates the same.
The newes therof being carryed quickly to Lon-
don, ther is ane armie of fourtieth thousand men
ordered to march for Scotland, under the com-
mand of the Earle of Northumberland, and one
Magnus, a gentleman borne in England, who,
being a souldier abroad, had, upon several occa-

1 Alnwick. In a second foray Douglas burned Warkworth,
another principal castle of the rival house of Percy ; and in re-
turning homeward a skirmish ensued, in which it was remark-
ed that the son of Collingwood, a Northumbrian baron, made
prisoner the Lord of Glendonwyne, who died of his wounds;
while Glendenwyne's son took captive the Baron of Colling-
wood.

/

THE SOMERVILLS. ]OX)

sions, given good proof of his valour and con-
duct. This gentleman, because of his long red
beard, was named Magnus Red Beard by the
English ; but the Scots, in derisione, named him
Magnus with the Red Mean.1 King James, hear-
ing of these great preparationes in England to
invade his kingdome, quickly raised ane armie,
over whom, as generall, he commissionat Hugh
Douglas, another brother of William Earle of
Douglas, who haveing randezvouzed his forces,
presently marched with the armie towards the
enemie, who was allready entered Scotland. All
the circumstances and sequell of this battel],
with the slaughter of Magnus Red Beard, you
have at lenth in the histories of the Douglasses,
with the names of some few of these gentlemen
that commanded the Scots forces. However,
this author forbears or forgetes to mentione the
Cliddisdale horse, commanded by John Barrone
of Carnwath, eldest sone to William Lord Somer-
vill, who had the right hand of the cavillry, and
was wounded by a lance in his right thigh at this

1 Or mane. This seems to be all a nonsensical fabrication
of Boece. Redmain was at this time a common name on the
English frontiers, and occurs frequently in Froissart's Account.
of the Border Wars.

200 MEMORIE OF

same engadgement, of which wound he was cured
at his cussing's house, John Somervill of Mophet,
not being able to reach Cliddisdale. The author
of the Douglasses Historie, in his relatione of this
battell, barely sayes, (without mentioneing the
name of this young noble man, or any else of
other shyres, except Johnstoune and Maxwell,)
with many inland gentlemen ; because, sayes he,
they had noe confidence in the Annandale men,
being more sett upon spoyle then victorie ; and
indeed they had reasone, the winning of this
battell being chiefly attributed to the Cliddis-
dale horse, and the foot of Carrick and Kyle,
commanded by William Wallace of Craigie, who
shortly thereftir dyed of the wounds he receaved
in this battell.1 I know ther are many intelli-

x The short chronicle of the reign of James II. does more
justice to the master of Somerville. " The samin yer, the xxiii
day of October, was the battell of Lochmabane stane, within
the perrische of Janet Patrik. Quhare Hew of Douglas, Erll
of Ormand, was chiftane on the Scottis syd, and with him Schir
Ihon Wallace of Cragg, the Lord of Ihonstoun, the Lord So-
merwellis sone and air, David Stewart of Castell Mylk, the
schyref of Air, with uthir syndry gentillis of the westland, and
thair men was callit iiiim. And on the Ynglis syde, the youngar
Persy e, Schir Ihon of Pennyntoune, Schir Ihon Herntoun,
war chiftanis, and with thaim sex thousand of Ynglis men, quhar
thar chiftanis war tane, and XVC men with thaim slane, drownit
Vc. And on the Scottis syde XXVI. slane and tane, bot na

10

THE SOMERVILLS. 2()1

gent gentlemen in this age, and great antiquita-
ries, that questiones the truth of severall particu-
lars contained in the historie of the Douglasses,
as though that author, to magnifie above all mea-
sure these of whom he writes, doeth obscure, or,
at the least, minches the reputatione of others,
particularly in this action, as in severall others
that occurred, in the tymes of these memories he
writes off. Indeed it seems strange that the place
the master of Somervill held at this very en-
gadgement, and the seazing upon the persone of
King James the Third in his minoritie at the pre-
tended hunting in anno 1466, in favours of the
Boyds, by the Lord Somervill, the same of whom
wee are now speaking, being at this battel!,
Bar rone of Carnwath, (the designatione of mas-
ter was not given to a lord's eldest sone untill
many years eftir this,) should have escaped that
author ; as he makes not the least mentione
therof, notwithstanding both Buchannan and
Drummond lies the wholl storie at lenth ; and
soe much the more I think strange of it, ab-
stracting from the house of Couthally, former
matcheing with the Douglasses, ther late allya

man of reputacioun war tane nor slane, bot Schir Ihon Wailace
deit efter that he come hame, throu misgovemance." — P. 40,

202 MEMORIE OB

with the Earle of Orknayes daughter, whose mo-
ther, Egidia Douglas, was daughter to William
Lord of Niddisdale, that marryed Geilles, (or
Egidia,) one of the daughters of Robert the Se-
cond, the first of the Stewarts, by which the
house of Cowthally had a neer relatione, by con-
sanguinitie, both to the Earles of Douglas and
Angus. But the truth is, this author, finding the
house of Cowthally, from the very originall. (not-
withstanding of ther neer neighbourhead to the
principall residence of the Douglasses,) to have
noe dependance upon the Earles of Douglas, he
mentiones the Lord Somervill but once, and the
name but four tymes in all his historic Whether
out of prejudice or want of informatione, I can-
not say myself, being ignorant in what termes
the gentleman stood in with the name when he
wrote the Historie of the House of Douglas and
Angus. But waveing this, it suffices that other
authors, both Scots and English, the confirma-
tions and other grants of the kings of Scotland
and England to the houses of Whichenour, Lin-
toune, Cowthally, and Cambusnethen, with ther
oune ancient evidences and other noble families
with whom they have matched themselves and
ther daughters, makes out abundantly what that
author has been pleased to omit.
H50. From the year 1450 to the year 1456, which

THE SOMERVILLS. 203

was the year wherin he dyed, I find not that this
nobleman had frequented the court, notwith-
standing that his cussing german, William Sin-
clair, Earle of Orknay, was made chancellor in
the year 1453, and continued in that statione
untill three years eftir King James the Second's
death. The reasone may be partly his infirmitie,
being guttish ; for, at this tyme, he was of noe
great age. But I rather believe the overturne-
ings he saw in the court and country, things
growing from evill to worse ; for, in the year
J 450, ther falles out ane unluckie accident,
which altered the king's affectione and favour
from the Earle of Douglas, because of his killing
Richard Collvine of Ochiltrie, and all the males
of his familie, in regaird the said Richard have-
ing deadly feed against John Auchinleck of that
ilk, killed him as he journeyed to Douglas castle
to wait upon the earle. This gentleman had for-
merly been a vassall to the Lord Somervill in
some lands of Quathquan, that he had in prop-
pertie, and was at this tyme a depender upon the
Earle of Douglas, which provoked him to this
revenge, wherof shortly thereftir he greatly re-
pented ; and, to expiate the same, haveing pro-
cured a license from the king, he goes to Rome,
being the year of juballie, and takes severall

204 MEMOR1E OF

noble men with him, whereof the Lord Hamil-
ton was one, sayes the author of the Douglasses,
who anticipats (as he did the constable Arrolls)
this noble man's title, for he receaved not that
dignitie untill eftir the Earle of Douglas his
death in anno 1455. The particulars of this
journey, the earFs comeing back by England,
what happened to his chamberlane Semintone
dureing his absence, with the earles regorous
proceedings against the Lord Herreis and the
tutor of Bumby, his last and worst act, in joyne-
ing in league with the Earles of Craufuird and
Ross, his oune slaughter by the king's hand in
Sterling Castle, and that which followed ther-
upon, are soe fully spocken to by all our authors
that it would be labour in vain to repeat every
circumstance relateing to these affaires, especi-
ally seeing that in all these occurrences William
Lord Somervill lay by and mynded his private
concerne, as is evident from what followes.
1*51. The same year wherin the natione was in that
consternatione, ther is ane instrument taken by
him in the hands of John Geddes, publict nottar
of Glasgow, wherin is contained and insert three
ancient charters, granted by King David the
Second, in favours of Sir John Edmondstoune,
this nobleman's aine grandfather, to the lands

THE SOMERVILLS. 205

and barronie of Cambusnethen, which formerly
for a long tyme belonged to the name of Baird,
who was heretor of that barronie before the for-
faulture. The charters beares date the seven-
teinth year of that king's reigne, which was in
the year of God 1451. Ther are many noble
men witnesses in the forenamed charters, such
as John Randall, Earle of Murray, William. Earle'
of Douglas. This was the first earle of the fa-
milie, Thomas Bruce, Earle of Carrick, Malcome
Fleyming, Earle of Wigtoune, Patrick Dunbar,
Earle of March, Patrick, Bishop of Breichen,
Chancellor of Scotland. Ther is likewayes ex-
tant a right made to this nobleman of the ten
merk land within the barronie of Brughtoune, in
the sherefdome of Peebles, by Hendrie Weir,
brother and heir to Ralph Weir, Laird of Blaiek-
wood, who was sone-in-law to William Lord So-
mervill, and dyed about this tyme, with his lady,
and left noe successione. This right is dated at
Cowthally, the tenth of September, 1452. The 1452.
charters upon this dispositione are dated att Edin-
burgh, the twentieth and fourth of Jully, 1454. 1454.
The year 1455, he dispones the lands and 1455.
barronie of Plain to his youngest sone, William
Somervill, upon his marrying of Margaret Ha-

206 MEMORIE OF

milton, eldest lawful daughter of William Ha-
milton of Prestoune ; and this began the house
of Plain, being the first cadite in the qualitie of
a barrone of the House of Cowthally,1 which
continued in the lyne of this gentle man for neer
two hundereth years ; and was at lenth sold by
Alexander Soraervill of Plain to Sir Thomas
Nicolsone of Carnock, much about the year
1642. Ther remain yet of the descent of that
familie a youth now sexteinth years of age,

1 We find a Thomas Somerville of Plaine, the son probably
of William, engaged in a law-suit with the Abbot of Cambus-
kenneth in 1473, for annuity payable to that religious house
out of his estate of Plaine. Vltimo Julio, 1473. " In the ac-
tioune and causs persewit be a venerable fadir, Henry Abbot
of Cambuskynneth and his convent on ye ta part, againe Tho-
mas Somervile on ye toyir part ayent ye wrangwiss detentioun
and withhaldin fra him of V It. of ye rest of ane zerelly annuell
of V li. aucht of certane termes bigane to ye said abbot and
conuent of ye half of ye landis of ye Plane. Bath ye said partiis
beand personali present, and yair euidentis richtis resouns and
allegatiouns at lenth sene, herd, and vnderstandin, the lordis
decretis and deliueris, yat becauss ye said Thomas made im-
pediment to ye saidis abbot and conuent, and yar officiatis in
ye distrenzeing for ye said annuell, and tuke ye pandis fra
yaim, considering yat ye said annuell of V li. is aucht of ye
saide landis of ye Plane, yat yarfor he sail conset, restor, and
pay to ye said abbot and conuent ye said soume of V li. restand
awand as said is, and yat letres be writin to distrenze him, his
landis, and gudis yarfor." — Records of the Parliament of Scot-
land,

THE SOMERVILLS. 207

named James Somervill, sone to Alexander So-
mervill of Plain. This gentleman, Major Somer-
vill, the estate being sold by his father, he takes
himself to the warres, wherin he gained much
reputation e both in Scotland and Ireland, dure-
* ing the tyme of our civill warres j which being
over, and the king's interest and party being
ruined at Wolster fight, he goes to Fflanders, and
served under His Royall Highnes the Duke of
Albanie and York, whom, at the battell of Grove-
ling, being engadged by the enemie, and alhnost
taken prisoner, this generous gentleman, by his
personall gallantry, releaved and brought safe off
in despight of all the enemies endeavours to the
contrary; for which speciall service, upon his
majesties happy restouratione in the year 1660,
this gentleman was preferred by his royall high-
nes to be eldest brigadier to his oune troup of
guaird ; in which imployment he continued for
neer two years ; and was at lenth unfortunately
killed at a duell, being second to another gentle-
man, who being worsted and disarmed by the
partie with whom he fought, both the principall
and the second who was in the debeat with So-
mervill falles upon him, and at lenth killes him
by a wound in his bellie, under pretext that he
would not give up his armes now when he saw

'J08 MEMORIE OF

his principall disarmed ; ' for which fact, eftir
diligent search and inquirie was made for them

1 In addition to the cruel and absurd custom of seconds en-
gaging as well as the principals of a duel, the rule in ancient
times was, that when one of the combatants was dispatched or
disarmed, his antagonist assisted his companion in overpower-
ing the other. A great part of Beaumont and Fletcher's play,
called " The Little French Lawyer," turns upon this custom.
Neither was it accounted dishonourable to overwhelm a gen-
tleman with such unreasonable odds. Brantome, giving an ac-
count of a duel in which the celebrated Mareschal Biron fought
with a Sieur de Carancy with two seconds on each side : ** La
fortune fut si bonne pour Monsieur le Baron et ses deux con-
fidants, que chascun tua bravement son homrne, et l'estendit
mort par la terre. Aucuns dirent que Monsieur de Biron plus
vaillant, prompt et soudain de la main, (ainsi qu'en tous arts
aussi-bien qu'en celuy de Mars, il y a des artisans plus prompts
et diligens h, faire leur besoigne que les autres,) despecha son
homme le premier, et alia ayder aux autres : en quoy il fit
tres-bien, et monstra qu'avec sa valeur, il avoit du jugement et
de prevoyance, bien qu'il fust encore fort jeune, et n'avoit point
encore fait tant d'expetises d'armes comme il en a fait depuis,
qui l'ont rendu l'undes plus grands, et vaillans capitaines de la
Chrestiente, ainsi que je le descris dans mon Livre des grands
Capitaines Francois et Espagnols que j'ay fait.

u Cette susdite prevoyance luy faisoit sa legon, pour ne se
fier trop en ce Dieu Mars, qui est le plus ambigu et le plus
doubteux Dieu des tous les autres. Que si on se laisse par trop
aller a sa fiance, et ne fasse-t-on cas de l'advantage qu'il vous a
donne une fois, il le vous oste bien par ampres, et le vous fait
cher couster; ainsi que possible mal est pris, ou a Monsieur de
Biron, ou a ses compaignons, s'il les eust veu et laisse faire, et
ne les eust assistez. Aussi estoit-il trop courageux, pour ne
jouer la partie qu' a demy, et en avoir le passe-temps. Ainsi

THE SOMERVILLS* 209

by his royall highnes, thir two gentlemen wer
for ever banished England.

Efter the year 1456, I find not any thing of 1456.
William Lord Somerville, but that he lived to see
his eldest sone the second tyme marryed upon
Marie Baillzie, daughter to William Baillzie of
Lammingtoune. He died suddenly upon the
twentieth of August, 1456, of a surfith of fruit
that came from Cambusnethen to Cowthally, as
was supposed ; for, haveing eaten plentifully of
thir fruit at dinner, he dyed before sex at night,
being then but in the fyftieth or fourtieth and
nynth year of his age. His vertuous lady, Janet
Mowat, took so ill the sudden death of her hus-
band, that she contracted a consumptione, and
dyed within two years eftir her husband. As for
himself, he was a nobleman of much busines in
the countreyes where he had interests, takeing
away many feeds and quarrells amongst his neer
neighboures to ther great satisfactione ; as is
evident from severall submissiones to him yet
extant, by persones of good ranke and qualitie.

doit fair tout coeur genereux, et soustenir son compaignon
jusques a la derniere goutte de son sang, si n'estoit que Ie
camp fust este conditionne.' '—Oeuvres de Brantome, Paris,
1787-8, tame VIII, p. 79.

O

210 MEMORIE OP

He made it his great busines to mentaine and
better his oune fortune more by his care and in-
dustry then by the court, notwithstanding of
the interest he might have had there, by his
great friends and relationes, the chancellor being
his cussing-german, preferred to that high office
three years before this nobleman's death ; and
that he himself had much of his prince's favour
and presence, as is evident from his being witnes
to many of the grants given by King James the
Second.' He lyes buryed in the yle of Carnwath,
with his father, Lord Thomas, and Dam Marie
Sinclaire, his mother, wherin also his oune lady
was interred.

1 Particularly to the confirmation of the various grants made
by the ancestors of James II. to the abbacy of Dunfermline,
to three charters of that prince in the chartulary of Murray,
and to one in the chartulary of Newbottle, granted to William,
de Liddell.

THE SOMERVILLS. 21 1

Off John Lord Somervill, the fourth of that Name,
the nynth Barrone of Lintoune, the sexth of
Caritwath, ilie third Lord Somervill, and the
fourteinth from Sir Gualter de Somervill, Lord
ofWhichenour in England,

To William Lord Somervill succeeded his
eldest sone and heir, John Lord Somervill, in
the year 1 456, as his retour testifies, being served
heir to his father att Edinburgh, before James,
the first Lord Hamilton, then sherrirT principall
of Lanerk, upon the twentieth and second day
of October, to the lands and barronie of Carn-
wath, the Barronie of Cambusnethen, and the
fourth part of the barronie of Stenhouse. Like-
wayes, the same year, he is served heir to his
father in the half of the lands of Gillmertoune,
holding waird of the king as Earle of Strathearne
by ane inqueist, att Edinburgh, the twentieth
of December, 1456, before Thomas Prestoune,
sherrirT-deput of Edinburgh. In March preceed-
ing, 1456, John Lord Somervill being a widow,
by the death of his lady, Dame Hellen Hep-
burne, daughter to the Lord Hailles, he marryes
Marie Baillzie, daughter to William Baillzie of

1456.

212 MEMORIE OF

Lammingtoune, who beares to him the year en-
1457. suing, 1457, in the moneth of Apryle, a sone
named John, eftirward designed Sir John of
Quathquan, the first Barrone of Cambusnethen
of the name of Somervill, efter it was separat
from the house of Cowthally, and became a dis-
tinct familie of itself. Off this gentleman, Sir
John of Quathquan, wee will have occasione to
wryte frequently in his father's life, his brother
William's, and his two nephewes, to whom he
wras both tutor and curator for neer twentieth
years.

This nobleman, John Lord Somervill, haveing
given good prooff of his conduct and valour in
his ftather's lifetyme, when he was master of So-
mervill, or barrone of Carnwath, (as the custome
was then to designe the eldest sone of a lord,)
att the battell of Sark, neer to the bruik of Gul-
loway, in the year 1448, wherin that great cham-
pion was slain, named Magnus with the Red
Beard. Soe did this young nobleman remaine for
the most part att court, in the retinue and com-
panie of William Earle of Orknay, then chan-
cellor of Scotland, the same that built the col-
legiat church of Rosseline, soe famous for its
structure and diversitie of workemanship, justly
esteemed one of the most rare and curious fa-

THE SOMERVILLS. 2 1 3

bricks within the isle of Brittane. This noble-
man being his cousine-german once removed, he
continued with him. But when in actione for
the king against the Earle of Douglas, dureing
the commotiones that succeeded the death of
William Earle of Douglas, killed by the king in
Stilling castle, upon the therteinth day of Fe-
bruary, 1452 ; for whose death not only the great-
est part of the Douglasses, but several other no-
blemen and great clanes, was influenced and took
armes ; such as the Earles of Craufuird, the Earle
of Rosse, and the Earle of Murray, brother-ger-
man to the Earle of Douglas, who conveened
great forces, by themselves, freinds, and allyaes.
Soe that if ther dilligence and foirsight had been
answearable to ther force, they had a fair oppor-
tunitie to have ruined the king and all his wholl
interest. The very feares and apprehensiones
therof had once possest his majestie with some
thoughts of going out of the countrey ; but that
he was perswaded to the contrary by Bishop
Kennedie, then Arch-bishop of Saint Andrewes,
whose counsell at that tyme and eftirward, in
most things, he followed, which at lenth proved
to his majesties great advantage ; for the Dou-
glasses and ther adherers being frustrat of ther
second attempt against the castle of Stirling,

214 MEMORIE OF

wherin the king himself was in persone, and
thereftir the earle himself being baffelled before
the castle of Dalkeith, which was stoutly defend-
ed by Patrick Cockburne and the laird of Clerk-
ingtoune, that the earle, eftir great travile, mutch
watching, and many wounds, was forced to leave
the seidge and depart. This affront, with the
Earle of Craufuird's being defeat by the Earle of
Huntley,1 and eftirward makeing his peace with
the king, and his declyneing to fight the king's
forces, when he went to raise the seidge of Aber-
corne, when he was advysed therto by James
Hamilton of Cadzeou, (eftirward made Lord Ha-
milton,) who, from his brother's death, had been
a faithfull counsellor and a stout asserter of this
earle's interest untill that very day.* But now

1 In the battle of Brechin, fought 18th May, 1451, in which
there fell on the Earl of Crauford's side, his brother and near-
ly threescore gentlemen of rank bearing coat-armour, besides
inferior persons. The Earl of Huntley's brother, William
Seton, was also slain, with a few other persons of distinction.

i * The averment of our historians, who, in this dark period,
are indeed the blind leading the blind, unanimously bears, that
Douglas advanced at the head of a large army to raise the siege
of Abercorn : But the better authority of the Short Chronicle
so often. quoted, leads us to doubt this statement, and to believe
that it was not Douglas's hesitation to fight with the king, but
his remaining so long in England, that induced the Knight of
Cadzow to desert his cause, and blighted the courage of his

THE S0MERVIL1S. 215

finding the earle to neglect that Opportunitie,
wherein he was fair to have casten the dyce for

other adherents " The yer of God M.CCCC.LV. in the be-

gynning of Merche, James the Secund kest doune the castell
of Inveravyne, and sine incontinent past till Glasgw, and gader-
it the westland men, with part of the Areschery, and passit to
Lanerik and to Douglas, and syne brynt all Douglasdale, and
all Avendale> and all the Lord Hammiltonnes landis, and heriit
them clerlye, and syne passit till Edinburgh, and fra thin till
the forest, with ane ost of lawland men. And all that wald nocht
cum till him furthwith, he tuke thair gudis and brynt thair
placis, and tuke faith of all the gentillis clerlie. And all this
tyme the Lord Hamittoun was in Yngland till have gottyn
suple, and couth get nane, bot gif the Douglas and he wald
have bene Ynglis men, and maid the aith. And incontinent
efter, the king passit in proper persoun, and put ane sege till
Abercorn. And within vii dayes Lord Hammiltoun come till
him till Abercorne, and put him, lyf, landes, and gudis, in the
kingis will purelye and sempillye, throw the menis of his eme
James of Levingstoun, that tyme chalmerlane of Scotland. And
the king resavit him till grace, and send him on incontinent
with the Erll of Orknay, that tyme chancellar of Scotland, till
remane in ward in the castle of Roslyne, at the kingis will.
And thus he left the Erll of Douglas all begylit, as men said.
And men wist not grathlie quhar the Douglas was. All this
tyme the king remanit still at the sege. And thar was mony
hurt and nane slane, till Sanct Georgis day, outtane Allane
Pantour, that was that tyme the most ingenious man that was
in Scotland, and most subtell in mony divers thingis, and was
slane with ane ganye, throu misgovernyng of himself, and was
richt mekle menyt be the king, and mony uthir lordis. Thus
the king remanit still at the sege, and gart strak mony of the
touris doune, with the gret gun, the quhilk a Franche man
schot richt wele, and falyeit na shot within a faldome quhar it
was chargit him to hit,"— Short Chronicle, p. 53.
7

216 MEMORIE OB1

the croune, he leaves him, and goes to the king,
off whom he was kindely receaved and accepted,
notwithstanding of his former practices against
him, in behalf of the Earle of Douglas. The
king, by Hamilton, understanding that a great
part of the Earle of Douglasses armie was dis-
content with his lingering, and the great motive
that keeped them now together was ther doubt-
ing of pardone for ther former offences ; wher-
upon the king presently emitted a proclamatione,
promiseing a pardone and remissione to all that
would leave the Earle of Douglas, and come in
to him within fourtieth and eight hours. This
being published, the most part of his armie leaves
him by the next morning. Wherupon he quytes
the fields, and leaves the castle of Abercorne un-
releaved, which was taken by the king, demo-
lished, and those within execute as traitors.
Eftir this, the earle was constrained to flee into
England in the year 1455. The same earle re-
turnes into Scotland, and gets together a small
company of men, where he was encountered by
the king's forces and defeat, the Earle of Mur-
ray, his brother, slain in the feild, his other bro-
ther, the Earle of Ormond, hurt, and eftirward
execute. The earle, eftir this defeat, being
abandoned by all, betakes himself to Donald of

THE SOMERVILLS. 2 1 7

the Isles, whom he perswades to reneue his
clame to the isles. Wherupon Donald takes
armes, wastes Argyle, Arrane, Lockaber, and
takes the castle of Invernes, burnes the toune,
and proclames himself king j but at lenth hear-
ing the Earle of Douglas, who had gone from
him some tyme before, was defeat, and with him
Henrie Percie, Earle of Northumberland, in the
Merse, the newes wherof soe frighted Donald,
that he sent and submitted himself to the king.
In all this tyme, which was the space of fyve
years, John Barrone of Lintoune was either at
court or in the host when they wer in the feilds,
for which he might have suffered much by the
forces of the Douglasses in his lands and bar-
ronies upon Clyde, that lay neerest to that ene-
mies greatest interest ; but that it was his good
fortune that dureing these broyles, wherin ther
was soe much devastatione and ruining of in-
terests, as they wer concerned for the one or
other partie, that his father, Lord William, was
alyve, who being noe medler of himself, and not
called furth by his prince, in respect of his sone's
constant attendance, preserved, by his prudence,
his vassalles and tennents lands and goods from
being preyed upon or destroyed by the Dou-
glasses and these that adhered to them, But, at

£18 MEMORIE OF

lenth, these commotiones being over, much about
the tyme or a litle before his father's death, by
the king's getting the victory over all these that
opposed him and disquyeted his kingdome, John
JLord Somervill setles himself att his castle of
Cowthally, in order to the attending of his pri-
vate affaires, haveing followed the court and the
camp from the year 1448 to the year 1457.1
1158. . The first evidence that I find of this noble-
jnan eftir his father's death is, that, upon the first
day of November, 1458, Walter Hallyburtoune
of Kinmossy grantes a charter for new infeft-
ment to George Chorsewood, Bishop of Brichen,
then chancellor of Scotland, for new infeftment
in the lands of Quathquan, holding of John Lord
Somervill ; and upon the third of November, the
year following 1459, John Hallyburtoune of
Olassefilline, sone and heir to Walter Hallybur-
toune, ratifies, by a new charter, his father's
former rights, in favour of Thomas Chorsewood,
brother-german to George Bishop of Brichen.
Upon which two charters ther is resignatione

1 The author, who had no access to the mass of original his-
torical documents since arranged and published by Rymer, was
ignorant that, in 1457, John Lord Somerville appears as one
of the conservators of peace with England.— Rymer, xi. p. 397-

THE SOMERVILLS. %\9

made in the hands of John Lord Somervill by
George Bishop of Brichen and Thomas Chorse-
wood, his brother-germ an, for new infeftment.
Wherupon John Lord Somervill grantes a char-
ter of confirmatione to the lands of Quathquan,
in favours of the chancellor, dated att Edin-
burgh, the sexth day of November, 1459. The
fourth of May preceding, Patrick Ogilvie and
Isabell Fentoune his spouse, with consent of
ther superior, resignes ther interest in the lands
of Quathquan, in favours of David Crichtoune,
John Chorsewood, Mr Adam Lyle, James Dum-
bar, and George Wallace. Wherupon ther is a
charter granted by John Lord Somervill of the
date foirsaid.

This nobleman, by an inqueist att Peebles, 1459.
before John Hay, Thomas Hay, and Archibald
Lyle, sherriff-deputs of Peebles, is served heir to
his father the fyfth of June, 1 459, unto a ten
merk land within the barronie of Brughtoune
and sherifdome of Tweddel. The same year he
grantes a presentatione in favours of Mr Wil-
liam Blair to the church of Lintoune. This pre-
sentatione is dated att Cowthally, the twentieth
and first day of May, 1459.1

1 In this year John Lord Somerville is again named one of
the conservators of the peace with England. — Rymeb, xi.
p. 434.

220 MEMORIE OF

1*60. This fatall year being come, King James the
Second takes great indignatione that the castle
of Roxburgh should be in English men's hands,
when all other strenthes in his kingdome had,
many years preceeding, in his father's life and
his oune minoritie, been taken from them, and
that castle only remained of all ther former con-
queis in this natione, by the two Edwards, the
First and the Third of England. The king, in
order to this designe, raises a great armie, con-
sisting of threttieth thousand men, in Jully, 1460,
with which he beleiggers the castle of Roxburgh,
haveing encamped and entrenched his armie up-
on both sydes of Tweed and Tiviott, thereby to
hinder the beseidged from excursiones and for-
reageing the countrey for victuall to themselves
and ther horses, it now being the harvest tyme.
The seidge continued from the first of August
untill neer the later end of September without
any disturbance from England ; the dissentiones
of the houses of Lancaster and Yorke had soe
devyded and distracted that natione, that they
wer not in a conditione to raise or send ane
armie to Scotland for the releirTof the castle of
Roxburgh, the seidge wherof still continued, be-
ing both weill defended by the garrisone and
strong of it self, by reasone of the situatione,

THE SOMERVILLS. 221

which is betwext two great rivers, Tweed and
Tiviott, built upon ane high eminency or hill,
strongly walled with double rampers and ditches,
according to the fortificationes in use at that
tyme, of a great circumference ; soe that it ap-
peares, by the mines, to have been rather a cit-
tiedale then a castle. The descriptione of the
fortificationes of this castle, the maner of the
seidge itself, with the approaches of the armie
thereto, the planting of ther batteries, and all
the severall attackes made therupon dureing the
continuance of the seidge, are quyte omitted by
our authores, which speakes either ther want of
informatione, or ther want of skill in militar
termes to delyver the memorie of this seidge to
posteritie, which certanely hes been very famous,
both as to the maner and forme observed therin ;
and also for the actione of particular men, which j
through the ignorance or omissione of our his-
torians, is quyte lost. However, it proved very
fatall in the end, by the death of our king, who,,
delighting to see the gunnes fyred from the bat-»
terie upon this syde of Tweed, stood too neer a
peece of ordinance, which, being overcharged,
breakes all in peeces : A wadge therof unhappi-
ly killes the king, and hurtes George Earle of
Angus, without killing or hurting any man else

222 MEMORIE OF

upon the place.1 This was a fatall blow to the
armie, but much more to the natione, in being
depryved of soe vertuous and gallant a prince,
in the very flower of his age, being then in the
threttieth year therof. Advertisement being gi-
ven to the queen, she hastens thither with her
young sone, the prince, then seven years of age,
continued the seidge, and, lyke ane other Ama-
sone, by her own example encourages the soul-
diers to be valorous, and to urmest from that
hold the ancient enemies of ther countrey, which
had keeped that part of it soe much under sub-
jectione and slavery. At lenth, many of the
bullwarkes of the castle being battered, and
breaches made in severall places of the walles,
the armie was ready to storme upon all quarters :
Wherupon the garrisone, knowing ther oune dan-
ger, and dispairing of any releifF from England,
gave it over to the queen, who immediately razed
it to the ground, that ther is litle at this day to
be seen, save a few vaults beneath the ground,
and some small parsell of the wall standing here

1 A bush, within the domain of the Duke of Roxburgh's
park of Fleurs, still marks the place where James fell. The
unlucky cannon was one of the hooped pieces of artillery U6ed
in the infancy of the art of gunnery.

THE SOMERVILLS. 223

and there.1 From the beginning to the end of
this seidge, John Lord Somervill was present,

1 The Duke of Somerset, Protector of England, made an
entrenched camp upon the site of Roxburgh castle, in his re-
turn southwards after the battle of Pinkie. — See Patten's
Narrative, propejinem. " The plot and syte whearof hath bene
in tyme paste a castell, and standeth naturally very strong vpon
a hyll east and west, of an eyght score in lenth, and iii score in
bredth, drawynge to narrownes at the easte ende ; the whole
ground wherof the old walles doo yet enuyron. Besyde the
heyth and hardines to cum to, it is strongly fenced on eyther
syde with the course of ii great rivers, Tivet on the north and
Twede on the sowth ; both which joyning sum what nie to-
gyther at the west ende of it, Tyuet, by a large cumpas abowte
the feldes wee laye in, at Kelsey dooth fall into this Twede,
which, with great deapth and swiftnes, runneth thence east-
ward into the sea at Berwyk, and is notable and famous for ii
commodities specially, salmons and whetstones. Ouer this, be-
twyxte Kelsey and Rokesborowe, hath thear bene a great stone
bridge with arches, the which the Scottes in tyme paste haue
all to broken, bycaus we shoold not that wei cum to them.
Soon after my lords graces survey of the plot and determina-
cion to doo as much indeede for makynge it defencyble, as
shortnes of the tyme and season of the yere could suffer/( which
was that one great trench of twenty foot brode, with deapth
according, and a wall of lyke breadth and heyth, shoold be
made a cros within the castle from the tone sidewall to toother,
and a xl foot from the west ende ; and that a like trench and
wall shoold likewise be cast a travers within, about a quoyts
cast from the east ende, and hereto that the castel walls on
either syde, whear neede was, shoold be mended with turfe,
and made with loop-holes, as well for shooting directly foorth-
ward, as for flankying at hand ; the woork of which deuise did
make, that bisyde the sauegard of these trenches and walles,

224 MEMORIE OP

being very serviceable to both ther majesties and
the armie, in causeing dayly provisione come in
from his oune barronie of Lintoune and the ad-
jacent countrey about, being neerly allyed to
the Kers of Cessefoord and Fairniehirst, that had
the greatest command and estates in that part
of the countrey. The seidge being brocken up,
upon the surrender of the castle, and the armie
dismissed, the Lord Somervill haveing kissed the
queen's hand, and the young prince, now king,
he reteires to his tower of Lintoune to order his
affaires in that barronie, the same being at a
great distance from the main of his estate, which,
at this tyme, lay within the sherifdome of Clidse-
dale.

The Lord Somervill haveing setled his affaires
in the south, he comes to Edinburgh, where,
haveing visited the queen mother, and the young
king her sone, reseiding then in the castle of
Edinburgh, he found, by discourse, her majestie
resolved to committ the tutorie of her sone the

the keepers shoold also be much fenced by both the ende
vvalles of the castel, ) the pioners wer set a woork, and diligent-
ly applied in the same." — Patten's Expedition into Scotland,
apud Dalyell's Fragments of Scottish History, Edin. 1798,
4'to, p. 86.

THE SOMERVILLS, 225

king to non but herself; albeit her majestie was
advysed and solicite to the contrary by severall
of the nobilitie, who even then was beginning to
draw in faetiones about this very matter ; albeit
the busines broke not furth untill the ensueing
year, J 461. The Lord Somervill, about this
tyme, became very intimate and inward with
George Earle of Angus and Douglas j for this
nobleman had the titles of both, since the for-
faulture of James Earle of Douglas, in the year
1457, in which year a great part of the estate
and title was conferred upon Angus by King
James the Second, notwithstanding that the
Earle of Douglas was yet alyve, as he was for
many years eftir this. With these noble men,
that stood in oppositione to the queen and her
factione, did the Lord Somervill joyne himself;
and he is the first of the house of Lintoune and
Carnwath that I find entered in any combina-
tione, familiaritie, or freindship with them, not-
withstanding of ther greatnes, neer neighbour-
head, and that they had once matched with the
house of Loudenhill, that was then Douglas, in
whose right they had the barronie of Carnwath ;
and that his oune grandmother, by his mother,
was a daughter of that familie of Angus, being
daughter to Geilles Douglas, who was only
p

226 MEMORIE Of

daughter to William Lord of Liddesdale, that
marryed Geilles, or Egida, daughter to King
Robert the Second, the first king of the name of
Stewart ; and that the same lord, dureing King
James the Second's reigne, and the life of his
oune father, Lord William, was a declared ene-
mie to that familie : But this may be supposed
to be upon noe other ground but because they
wer at variance with ther prince, to whom this
young nobleman still adhered, as in duety and
allegiance it became him ; the name of Douglas
being at variance amongst themselves, and de-
vyded upon this very account ; for ther was not
a greater enemie to the Earle of Douglas then
this George Earle of Angus, with whom the
Lord Somcrvill joyned in freindship upon the
publict account, which Mas a presage of that
neer affinitie that should be betwext ther fami-
lies the next generatione.
1461. This bussines of the factiones not being yet
come to any maturity or outbreakeing, the Lord
Somervill goes west to his house of Cowthally,
where, understanding that his cousine and neigh-
bour, Sir Gilbert Herring of Edmondstoune, in
Cliddesdale, being non of the frugalist, was dila-
pidating and makeing away much of his estate
by wadsetts, and some by absolute venditione, a

THE SOMERVILLS. 227

thing unusuall in that age, for a man to part with
his father's inheretance -, and, in effect, in that
and the preceeding, it was not in use to sell
lands : The only way of comeing to them was
one of these four wayes, by foirfaulture, mar-
riages, donationes, and excambione ; and it is
beyond all controversy, most of the great estates
of Scotland, before the year 1500, came that
way. Howbeit, it will appear, from evidences in
my custody, and that I have seen of others, that
the buying or selling of lands was beginning to
be in use about the year 1400; for excambione
of land, and great mens giveing of lands for
services done, and to be done, was ordinary and
frequent upon the account of keeping up ther
feedes.1 Yea, marriages themselves was made up

1 Feuds. It ma)r be remarked, that as almost all the lands
granted by the great barons to their vassals were held by mili-
tary service, and were frequently granted to them only for
their own lives, the field of battle was often the place where
the vassals demanded that their sons should be secured in their
father's possessions by the feudal superior, a remarkable in-
stance of which occurred in the battle of Brechin. " The Earl
of Crawford assembled a great army of his allies, kindred, and
friends, with the whole folks of Angus ; and thereafter, when
the Earl of Huntley was marching towards Angus, the Earl of
Crawford camped his folks beside the town of Brechin ; where
both the armies coming in others sight, rushed forward in ar-
rayed battle upon other. It was long foughten with great

2S8 MEMORIE OF

upon that consideratione, and bands of man-
drey granted, as is evident from this nobleman's

cruelty and uncertain victory, till that a company of fresh men
came to renew the battle, taking the advantage of the know-
side, who came so fiercely on the Earl of Huntley's vanguard,
that they were compelled to settle a little back ; the which
when the Angus men perceived that they were put back, and
having advantage, they came more fiercely upon them than
before, and, namely, upon the place sorest charged. But in the
meantime a captain of the Earl of Crawford's, to wit, John
Colless of Bonymoon, who had in governance three hundred
able men, well armed, and bore battle-axes and halberts, with
other short weapons, this John Colless fled from the Earl of
Crawford traiterously, and caused others to flee with him,
where through he tint the field : And because the laird desired
his son to be put in fie of his lands, who were holden of the
Earl of Crawford, with other commodity and gains, that this
laird desired at the Earl of Crawford's hands ; who answered
him and said, the time was short, but bade him do well that
day with him, and prove a valiant man, and he should have all
his desire and more : But the Laird of Bonymoon, not con-
tented with this answer, passed from him with a grief, and ar-
rayed his men and put them in order, as he would have fought-
en most furiously ; but when he saw his time come that he
should have rescued the Earl of Crawford, who was fighting
then cruelly, the said captain drew himself aside cowardly, and
made no support to the said earl, who, seeing his men depart-
ing from him treasonably, by command and convoy of this cap-
tain, he was constrained to flee for safety of his life."—
Pitscottie, p. 42.

From the same naive historian we learn that a similar in-
stance of ill-timed parsimony facilitated the destruction of the
religious house called the Chartreaux, in Perth, at the begin-
ning of the Reformation. " John Knox having preached open-

THE SOMERVILLS. . 229

practice, which shall be spocken to eftirward.
The Lord Somervill finding it fitt and propper
for himself to make a purchase of the lands of
Carsewall, that lay within his barronie of Carn-
wath, and held of himself, upon the twentieth
and second day of February, 1461, he enters
into a contract with Sir Gilbert Herring of Ed-
mondstoune, wherin the said Sir Gilbert, with
consent of his wife, Dame Elizabeth Ramsay,
wodsettes to John Lord Somervill, his heires or
assignayes, the lands of Carsewall, with the per-

ly after dinner, they destroyed all the idols in the town. There-
after assembling on the bridge, they caused John Knox to con-
ceive a prayer to God Almighty, to direct them to do that
which might serve most for the glory of God and good of his
kirke. Then they concluded to pass and demolish the Charter-
house. But the prior, suspecting their purpose, had brought
down his tenants of the highlands of Athole to defend the
place. They, knowing their hazard, desired the prior to put
their wives and eldest sons in theer tacks, which, if he would
do, they promised to hazard their lives in his defence ; but the
prior refused this. Then they desired the prior to give them
wine, and of his best drink, to encourage them ; which was also
refused, and nothing given to them but salt-salmond and small
drink ; whereby they had no courage when they had most ado.
The congregation sent the Laird of Moncrief, being the prior's
kinsman, to counsel him to leave idoletry, and serve God ac-
cording to his word: But he refused to obey their desire;
whereupon the congregation passed to the Charter-house, took,
forth the prior, spoiled the place, and gave the spoil to the
poor.— Ibid. p. 203.

230 MEMORIE OF

tinents, lying within the barronie of Carnwath,
for the soume of twelve score of merkes Scots,
four score wherof to be payed to himself, and
eight scorse of merkes therof to be payed to
Robert Ramsay of Collurehope. In this con-
tract the Lord Somervill is obleidged to give
ane leice of reversion e in favours of the said Sir
Gilbert and his heires, with ane obleidgement,
that upon the payment of the twelve score
merks, the said Sir Gilbert, or his heires, should
be reponed to the lands of Carsewall. Preceed-
ing this indenture, I find Sir Gilbert Herring
had disponed the very same lands of Carsewall
irredeemably to Thomas Somervill of Batla, with
consent of Dame Elizabeth Ramsay, and that
upon the thertteinth day of March, 146 1, wher-
upon ther followes charter and seasing, dated the
fyfteinth day of September the same year ; ther
being as witnesses in both, Thomas Somervill of
Cambo, and William Somervill of Newbigging.
H62. In the year 1462, falles out the dissentiones
amongst the states, anent the electione of a go-
vernour and protector for the young king, James
the Third.1 The greatest part of the nobilitie

1 All this pretended dispute seems to be fabulous. Our au-
thor followed Buchanan and Godscroft. — See Pinkerton's
History, vol. I. p. 247.

THE SOMERVILLS. 2SI

withstood the queen ; and such as joyned with
her, a conventione being called, the queen, by
heroune factione, gettes herself declared tutrix;
wherupon the nobilitie upon the other syde, be-
ing headed by George Earle of Angus, and James
Kennedy, Bishop of Saint Andrewes, comes to
the cross of Edinburgh, where the bischope made
a speech to the people, intimateing that their in-
tentiones was nothing else but to observe the an-
cient custome, in maintaineing the old law and
priviledges of the natione, which was for the
nobilitie to choyse a persone, one or more, as
should be thought fitt for soe great a trust.
This speech being ended, as they wer reteire-
ing, some informed that these in the castle, be-
ing the queen's party, wer comeing to assalt
them. Wherupon the Earle of Angus would
needs fight them, albeit nether himself nor these
noblemen with him wer armed, expecting noe
such thing, but was advysed to the contrary by
John Lord Somervill and John Lord Kennedy,
the Bishops of Glasgow, Galloway, and Dun-
keld. In the mean tyme, mediating betwext the
parties, the busines was composed, and assu-
rances given for a moneth, att the expyreing
wherof both parties being mett peaceably, they
agreed that four should be choysen, two of each

232 MEMORIE OF

syde ; for the queen's, William Lord Grahame,
and Robert Lord Boyd, then chancellor, sayes
the author of the Historie of the Douglasses ;
but, by his favour, he is mistaken ; George Chorse-
wood, Bishop of Brichen, still officiat in the qua-
litie of chancellor, untill the year eftir this elec-
tione, as is evident from the publict catalogue of
our chancellors, and many privat evidences yet
extant, wherof ther is some in my oune custodie.
But these mistakes are ordinary of wrytters,
advert not weill to the tymes of publict ministers
incomeing and outgoeing from ther places of
publict trust. The nobilitie, upon the other
syde, choysed Robert Earle of Orknay. This
nobleman, in the third degree, was cousine to
John Lord Somervill j the other was John Lord
Kennedy, related to the royall familie by his
grand mother. Some tyme before this electione,
George Earle of Angus and Douglas dyed. His
sone Archibald, the sexth Earle of Angus, being
a child, succeeded to him. This noble man eftir-
ward was commonly called Bell the Catt, upon
the answear he gave unto the counsell held at
Lauder Bridge long thereftir. This electione
being over, and the four regents established by
the representatione of the natione in ther autho-
rise, the nobilitie upon both sydes returnes to

THE SOMERVILLS. 233

ther respective dwellings, as did the Lord Somer-
vill to Cowthally : Where I find, amonst other of
his private concernes, he takes a band of man-
drey of his cousirie, the Laird of Closseburne,
the tyme of the king's minoritie beginning to
grow gloomy, and that because of the insolency
of the Boydes, (as the great men pretended,)
who now manadged all under the queen, sel-
dome or never consulting or advyseing with the
other three. Angus being now dead, his sone
young, Bishope Kennedy old, altogither unfitt,
or at least unable, to attend the counsell, a
storme was expected ; thairfore every man of
qualitie provyded as weill as they could for ther
oune safety and- strenthening of ther party, by
bands of mandrey, or bands of protectione, from
persones of greater qualitie and following in the
same country where they lived themselves, or
elsewhere, as ther affectione or interest led them,
as did this Lord Somervill from the Laird of
Closseburne, which I will transcribe here, that
the tenor and forme of a band of mandrey, then
in use, may be knowne and remaine for the fu-
ture, seing most of them are but short and easily
lost, if they be not the better looked to amongst
the multitude of papers that for ordinary most

254 MEMORIE OF

of the nobilitie and families of any antiquitie hes
in ther charter chists.

The Tenor of the Band of Mandrey followes.1
" Be it kend till all men be thir present let-
ters, me, Thomas of Killpatrick, Laird of Closse-
burne, and

sydesman to ane honourable lord, John Lord
Somervill, for all the dayes of my life ; and ob*
leidges and binds me to the said lord, be the
faith of my body, and be thir my present letters
in manred and sworne counsell ; and to be with
him as freely in all actiones, and causes, and

1 These bands of manred, or manrent, did by no means ne-
cessarily infer the constant or habitual dependence of the party
granting upon the party receiving them. They were tempo-
rary arrangements of alliance, in which particular family cir-
cumstances, or large benefits received, induced chieftains,
otherwise independent, to unite themselves for a time under a
common head or protector. The ancient and distinguished
family of Kirkpatrick was at this time nearly connected with
that of Lord Somervill. Thomas Kirkpatrick was either his
brother-in-law or his nephew, by the mother's side ; and he was
also brother-in-law to the Laird of Sanquhar, as appears from
a charter, 29th November, 1509, by which Robert Lord Cregh-
ton of Sanquhair grants " to an honourable man and his bro-
ther-in-law, Thomas Kirkpatricke of Closeburne, Knight," the
ward of the lands of Robertmure.

THE SOMERVILLS. 235

quarrells pertaineing till him, baith in peace and
in warre, against all that lives and dyes may ex-
cept and my alleadgeance to our soveraigne lord
the king, and to my

and my service to SirRobert
of Crichtoune, the Laird of Sanquhair, for the
tyme of three years next eftir following the date
of thir present letters. In witnes of the quhilk
thing, I have set to my seall att Cowthally, the
twentieth and fourth day of the moneth of Oc-
tober, the year of God 1462 years. Before thir
witnesses, Thomas Somervill of the La tla, Sir
John of Carnwath, Chaplane Thomas Tellfer,
Patrick of Nisbett, and Mr John of Craufuird,
nottar publict."

Mary Dowager of Scotland, and mother to the 14,66.
present king, a lady of eminent virtue and sin-
gular pietie, haveing founded the Trinitie Col-
ledge Church and Hospitall of Edinburgh, and
endued the same with competent revenues, sick-
ned in the year 1466, and, eftir some short lan-
guishing, dyed the same year, and was buried,
with all the solemnitie and ffunerall rites usuall
in that tyme, in the church built by herself. It
was in this year, upon the tenth of Jully, that
John Lord Somervill, by being accessery and

236 MEMORIE OF

upon the plott of surprizeing of the king, and
carrying him to Edinburgh, eftirward upon the
change of the court, and the fall of the Boydes,
went neer to have foirfaulted both his life and
fortune, if he had not been secured more by the
king's particular favour then that act of parlia-
ment wherupon the Boydes soe much relyed.
Drummond of Hathernedean, being full in this
particular, I conceave it more propper in this
place to give his relatione then mine oune, as to
the wholl of that affair.

" The king," says this author, " as he in-
creassed in years, increassed in strenth and abi-
litie for exercise, aither of recreatione or valour.
By the regents he is given to a brother of the
Lord Boydes, to be bred in all knightly pro-
wesse, a man singular for his educatione abroad
and demanour at home. The Kennedies war
now aged* and became tyred to give such assi-
duous attendance att court as they war wont, and
the tymes requyred; the Lord Boyd, by the
weaknes of his co-partners, governed the state
alone, as Sir Alexander, his brother, did the
young king, to whose naturall inclinatione he
did soe comply and conforme himself, that he
had the wholl trust of his affaires ; and the king
had noe thought but his. Soe soon as the king

THE SOMERVILLS. £3/

began to know himself, he turned impatient of
being subject to the lawes of minoritie ; and
that he himself should be restrained by that au-
thoritie which did deryve it's right from him, he
began to loath the superintendency and govern-
ment of others, and to affect ane unseasonable
priviledge — to be at his oune disposall and the
governing of himself: many things are done
without the advyce and consent of the govern-
ours, and occasione is sought to be disburdened
of ther authoritie. The Lord Boyd and his bro*
ther Sir Alexander, in a litle tyme increassing in
greatnes, and haveing ane intentione to trans*
ferre the power of the state and glory of the
court to ther familie, failled not to find opportu-
nitie to free the king from the severity and rigour
of the governour's schoolling ; and, to frame him
ane escape, whilst the king remained at Linlith-
gow, the Lord Hales, the Lord Somervill, Sir
Alexander Ker of Cessefoord, and Sir Alexander
Boyde, agree upon a match of hunting, and will
have the king umpire of the game. Airly in the
morning following, the noble men and gentle-
men who wer upon the plott failled not in ther
attendance. The king, being a myle off the
toune, and holding the way towards Edinburgh,
the Lord Kennedy, whose quarter it was then to

238 MEMORIE OF

attend, and who had leasurely followed, suspect-
ing this hunting to be a game of state, the king
eontinueing his progresse, laying his hands upon
the reines of his bridle, requested him to turn
again to Linlithgow, for that he perceaved the
tyme was not convenient for him to goe further ;
nether was it a convenient match in absence of
his best deserveing followers. Sir Alexander
Boyde, impatient that the king should have been
thus stayed, eftir injurious words, stroke the re-
verend governor with a hunting staff upon the
head, and took the king alongst with him to
Edinburgh, where, at a frequent meeting of the
states, the Kennedies urged to have the king
continued under minoritie ; the Boydes urged
that he might take the governement in his oune
persone. Eftir long contestatione, wisdom be-
ing overcome by boldnes, the authoritie of the
better partie was forced to give place and yeeld
to the will of the greater. Thus the factione of
the Boydes prevailed.,,
1467. Notwithstanding of this advantage the Boydes
and ther partie gott over the Kennedies and ther
factione, in having the king's persone with them
att Edinburgh, who, now takeing the governe-
ment upon himself, was wholly counselled by
them, yet began they to be apprehensive of ther

THE SOMERVILLS. 239

oune danger in bringing the young king, by ther
private contryveance, without the consent or
approbatione of the other governours, to Edin-
burgh, for the assumeing the governement in his
minoritie. Thairfore, the Lord Boyd being much
pressed by John Lord Somervill, Adam Hep-
burne, Lord Hales, Robert Ker of Cessefoord,
and others of the factione, but by the three for-
mer mostly, being neerer related in kindred by
affinitie and consanguinitie, and being principall
contryvers and actors with them in that state-
hunting ; thairfore, for ther oune securitie, and
those that joyned with them, they craved an ap-
probatione of ther innocency, and, to warrand
them from this danger, that the kings majestie
in parliament might declare publictly, as he did,
that the Boydes and ther adherers were not the
autheres nor projectores of that bussiness, but
only the assisters of him and his followers, being
not the formall, but instrumentall causes of his
comeing to the helme of the state himself. That
these wer soe far from being obnoxious to any
blame or reproach for this deed, that they de-
served immortall thankes and ane honourable
gourdian in all tyme to come, haveing obeyed
him in that which was most just, honest, and ex-
pedient for the weill of the kingdome. Upon

240 MEMORIE OF

this declaratione, the Lord Boyde and these
other lords that were partakers with him in that
actione, requyred the declaratione might be re-
gistered amongst the acts of parliament, for ther
vindicatione and future securitie, which they ob-
tained. However, as to the Boydes, it had not
that successe and effect they hoped for, but was
to them as a reed of Egypt in ther greatest ne-
c.essitie.

1468. In this year, 1468, upon the twentieth and
fourth day of November, ther is ane inqueist
held att Carnwath, before John Lord Somervill,
wherin John Livingstoune is served heir to James
Livingstoune, his father, to the third of the lands
of Newbigging; and upon the third of January

1469. thereftir, 1469, John Lord Somervill grantes a
seasing to a husband land, within the toune of
Quathquan, in favours of Thomas Chorsewood,
sone and heir to Thomas Chorsewood, nephew
to umquhile Bishop of Brichen, Chanceller of
Scotland. Ffrom the year 1466 to the year 1474,
I find not the Lord Somervill concerned in the
publict transactiones of the state, nor private in-
tertainements or attendance of the court, untill

1474. Jully, 1474,1 at which tyme the king being dis-

1 The very curious story which follows must be taken on
the authority of tradition. The embodying it with so many

THE SOMERVILLS. 24 1

posed to take his pleasure at the poutting in
Calder and Carnwath Muires, he acquaintes the
Lord Somervill with his resolutione, who, by ac-
cident, was then at court.; his majestie being
pleased withall to shew him he was resolved for
some dayes to be his guest. Wherupon the Lord
Somervill immediatly dispatches ane expresse
to Cowthally (who knew nothing of the king's
journey,) with a letter to his lady, Dame Marie
Baillzie, wherin, according to his ordinary cus-
tome when any persones of qualitie wer to be
with him, he used to wryte in the postscript of
his letters, Speates and Raxes j1 and in this let-
ter he had redoubled the same words, because
of the extraordinary occasione and worthynes of
his guest. This letter being delyvered, and the
messenger withall telling his lord was very press-
ing, that it might be speedily and securely put-
in her ladyship's hands ; wherupon she hastily
breakes it up, commanding the Stewart to read
the same, because she could read non herself.

circumstances was undoubtedly the work of the author himself,
who in this, as well as other passages, seems to be ignorant that
an affectation of extreme minuteness and pre cisio gives no
small cause for suspicion in such cases.

1 Spits and Ranges ; the latter being the appendage to the
kitchen grate, on which the spits turn.

242 MEMORIE OF

This gentleman being but lately entered to his
service, and unacquainted with his lord's hand
and custome of wrytting, when he comes to the
postscript of the letter, he reades Spectres and
Jacks,1 instead of Speates and Baxes : wherupon,
my lady all amazed, without considering her
husband's ordinary forme of wrytting, falles a
weeping, supposeing her lord had fallen at vari-
ance with some about the court, the king begin-
ning about this tyme to discountenance his an-
cient nobilitie, and they again to withdraw both
ther affectiones and due alleadgeance from him.
Eftir the reading of the letter, James Inglis of
Eistscheill was presently sent for, and com-
mandement given to him and the officers, that
all the vassalles, with the able tennents that wer
within the two barronies of Carnwath, Cambus-
nethen, and baillzierie of Carstaires, should be
ready with ther horse and armes to wait upon
William Cleilland of that ilk be eight in the morn-
ing the ensueing day, and that in order to ther
going for Edinburgh. This command being
punctually observed by the vassalles and the

1 Spears and Jacks; the latter were doublets of leather, quilt-
ed with plates of iron, the common armour of the irregular ca-
valry of the period.

THE SOMERVILLS. £43

substantial! tennents1 that wer in use, and ob-
leidged to ryde, by ther holdings and tackes, up-
on such occasiones, they conveened to the num-
ber of two hundred, with the laird of Cleilland,
and William Chancellor of Quathquan, with the
Baillzie upon ther heads.* By eleven a clock
they wer advanced in ther journey for Edinburgh
to the syde of that hill that is somewhat bewest
the Corsetthill. His majestie haveing breakfast-
ed by nyne in the morning, had taken horse, and
was come the lenth of that little watter a myle
on this syde of the Corsetthill, bussie, even then,
at his sport upon the rode, when the first of all
the little company that was with him observed
the advance of a troope of men with ther lances,
within a myle of him, or thereby. Wherupon,
all astonished, he calles hastily for the Lord So-
mervill, who, being at some distance, came upon
the spurre. The king being of ane hastie nature,
in great fury demanded what the matter mean-
ed, and if he had a mynde to betray him and
seize upon his persone the second tyme by ane

* In the last leases of Jedwood forest that were let by the
late Duke of Douglas, the tenants were bound to attend him
with two well-armed horsemen at least for each farm.

* i. e. at their head.

244 MEMORIE OF

other treacherous hunting ; and withall swear-
ing his head should pay for it if he himself esca-
ped the hands of these traitors, who could be noe
other but his vassalles and followers, brought to-
gither off purpose for some ill designe. The
Lord Somervill, without making any reply, im-
mediatly castes himself from his horse to the
ground, and falles upon his knees, protesting,
with many solemn oaths, that he understood not
what the matter meaned, nor what the company
was, nor the cause of ther being in yonder place,
thairfore he humblie begged of his majestie that
he would allow him to goe see what they wer,
friends or foes ; and, for securitie, he had with
him his eldest sone and heir William, Barrone of
Carnwath ; iff all was not weill, and his majestie
safe from all hazard, he desyred that his sone's
head may be strucken off upon the place. This
the king acceptes, and commands him to ryde
up and discover what they wer, and the intent
of ther being ther ; and, according as he found
occasione, to returne or give a signe for his re-
teiring.

In the mean tyme, his majestie, with his
traine, being about twentieth horse, placed them-
selves upon the hight of the muir, to marke the
Lord Somervill's goeing, and the carriage of
the horsemen they beheld, who now made ane

THE SOMERVILLS. 245

halt, when they first observed the king's com-
pany, not knowing what they wer ; but seeing
them draw togither they apprehended they wer
noe freinds : thairfore they resolved to advance
noe further, seeing a horseman comeing up to
them with all the speed he could make, until!
they knew for what intent he came. The Lord
Somervill was yet at some distance, when lie was
presently knoune by severall of the company to
be ther lord and master, wherupon the laird of
Cleilland, and William Chancellor of Quathquan,
galloped out to meet him. He was not a litle
surprized when he saw them, and demanded the
occasione that had brought them togither in that
posture and number. To which they answeared,
It was by his lordship's directione and his ladye's
command : that they wer comeing to Edinburgh
to waitt upon him, fearing he had fallen at vari-
ance and feed with some one or other about the
court. He desyred to see the letter. They told
him the baillzie had it. By this tyme they wer
joyned to the company, where, calling for the
letter, he made the same to be read, where ther
was noe such directione nor orders given as they
pretended. He enquired who read the letter to
his lady : they answered his new Stewart, who
being present, was commanded to read it again,

£46 MEMORIE OF

which he did, and comeing to the postscript*
reades Speares and Jacks, insteed of Speates and
Raxes ; and herein lay the mistake, that the Lord
Somervill knew not whither to laugh or be an-
gry at the fellow. But myndeing the fear he left
the king in, and what apprehensiones and jea-
lousies his majestie might intertaine upon his
long communing with them, he commanded that
they should depart every man to ther respective
dwellings ; and he himself, with the laird of Cleil-
land, and severall other gentlemen, returned to
the king, who remained still upon the same place
where he had parted from him, unto whom be-
ing come he relates the wholl story, whereat the
king laughed heartily, calles for a sight of the
letter, and reades it himself, swearing it was noe
great mistake, for he might have been guiltie of
that error himself. His majestie haveing given
back the letter, it went from hand to hand
amongst these few courtiers that was there, as
they proceeded in ther journey, the letter itself
containeing noe matter of any consequence but
a naked complement the Lord Somervill had
written to his lady. This is that story of the
Speates and Raxes soe much discoursed of then,
as it is to this day amongst persons of qualitie ;
for of late the Duke of Lauderdale, when he was

THE SOMERVILLS. 24/

commissioner, at a full table of the greatest part
of the nobilitie in Scotland, then dyneing with
him, related the wholl story allmost in the same
termes that I have set it doune.

The king being come to Cowthally, he had his
intertainement great and his wellcome heartie,
albeit my Lady Somervill was some what out of
contenance, all the discourse being anent the
Speares and Jackes, which the king could not
forget, thinking it both a good sport and ane
easy mistake, because of the neer spelling and
sounding of the words ; and, withall, his majes-
tie was pleased highly to commend the Lady So-
mervill's love and respect to her husband, in be-
ing so active and dilligent to conveen soe quick-
ly her husband's friends and followers, in caice
ther had been any necessitie for them, telling my
lady that he hoped she would use the same care
and dilligence to conveen her lord's followers
when he should call him and them to his service.

It being noysed abroad that the king was at
Cowthally, all the gentry, for the most part, in the
countrey, came to wait upon his majestie, which,
with the curiosity of the countrey folke comeing
to see the king, made a great confluence of peo-
ple, soe that at least three or four hundered had
dinner there every day, which gave the first oc-
casione and publict report of the Lord Somer-

248 MEMORIE OP

vilPs great house keeping, and that they spent a
cow every day, which might be true at this tyme,
for they were not within three or four1
a day, besydes mauy sheep, dureing the king's
abode ; and how long that was I find not, only
it may be supposed that it could not be lesse then
a week, seing his majestie came only furth for his
recreatione and sport of halking, it being the
only fitt seasone for it, and noe place in Scot-
land could affoord him better poutting then the
muires of Carnwath, being then ane wildernesse
of heather be what they are in this age, for a
great part of them are now in corne lands.

The king haveing spent some dayes at balk-
ing, removes from Cowthally towards the pa-
lace of Linlethgow, haveing, before his goeing,
thanked the Lady Somervill for his plentifull
fare and kynde intertainement, telling her that
her speates and raxes had been weill imployed
since he came to her house ; and, withall, his
majestie desyred her eldest sone John, who was
then ane handsome boy, might be sent to court,
and he should take care of his breeding and pre-
ferrement. Soe fortunate was this youth, that
even yet whill he was a young boy the king had
a lykeing to him, for at this tyme he was noe

* There is a blank here in the MS.

THE SOMERVILLS. 249

more but fourteinth years of age ; but what his
present majestie came short oft* in performeing
of his promise, because of the many troubles he
created to himself dureing his reigne, by mis-
trusting his nobilitie and imploying mean per-
sones in the greatest affaires of state, his sone,
King James the Fourth, made good abundantly
by honouring and enriching this young gentle-
man, wherof we will have occasione to discourse
cftirward.

The Lord Somervill attended his majestie to
Linlethgow, and from thence to Stirling, where,
takeing his leave, he was dismissed with soe large
a testimonie of the king's kyndenes and favour,
that, notwithstanding that he and Archibald
Earle of Angus, nick-named Bell the Catt, was
intimate enough and great friends, "yet he could
never be perswaded by him, nor any other of the
nobilitie, to enter into any combinatione against
the king, albeit he dislyked his majestie's wayes
and dealling with his nobilitie as much as any of
them did, holding this for a sure maxime, that
botli the persone and government of a prince are
sacred, and are not to be medled withall ; noe
miscarriage of the one, nor mismanadgement of
the other, can warrant a rebellione : and such is
all ryseing in armes, or combinationes of the sub-

250 MEMORIE OF

jects, against ther prince, let them vernish never
soe weill ther specious pretexts with religione,
the safety of the state, ther oune previledges, or
proppertie of ther estates. The king and the no-
bilitie being in thir termes, the Lord Somervill
mynded his affaires at home.1 His eldest sone

1 One of these affairs seemes to have been a lawsuit with
some of his neighbours on the borders, for alleged injustice
done upon an inquest touching the lands of Blacklaw, in Rox-
burghshire, not very far from Lintoun. — " Anno 1476, XX0
Julii. In ye actione and cause, persewit be Johne Lord Sy-
mervale againis Andro Ormestoun of yat ilk ; John Amyslie of
Dolphinstoune ; George Ruyirfurd; Thomas Ker of Ferny-
hirst ; William Dowglass ; William Kirktone ; James Dowglass ;
William Pringill ; William Dowglass, brodir to George of Dow-
glass of Bonegedworth ; Thomas Madur; Arnald Gourlay;
Henry Amisle; Alexander Ramsay ; Johne Turnebull of Phirth ;
and William Dalglesch, anent ye wrangwiss determinatioun
and deliverance of ye saidis persouns in ye seruyng of a brefe
purchest be ye said William ye ye dccess of vmqhile Thomas
Symervale, his faidir, of ye landis of Blacklaw, lyand within ye
baronery of Lyntoun, ye said William beand present, be his
procuratouris and ye said Johne of Amysly, William of Kirk-
tone, Johne Turnebull, Thomas Madur, and William Pringill,
be yar procuratouris, and ye oyir persouns of ye inquest above
writtin, beand lauchfully summond oftymes, callit, and nocht
comperit, ye lordis auditouris of causs and complaintis ordanis
yat ye said persouns of ye inquest yat are nocht comperit be
summond, agane to comper before ye lordis ye ferd day of Oc-
tober nixt to cum, with continuatione of dais, to answer in ye
said matter, efter ye forme of ye said summondis, vndir ye pain
of rebellione, and letres to be writtin yar uppone, and at ye
said Johne of Amyslye, William of Kerktone, John Turnebull,

THE SOMERVILLS. 251

William, Barrone of Carnwath, as he is designed
in all the evidences that I have, being now twen-
tieth and two or twentieth and three yeares of
age, his father resolves he should marry ; and, in
order to this, he procures a very honourable
match for him, Marjorie Montgomerie, eldest
daughter to Hugh Lord Montgomerie, eftirward
Earle of Eglintoune. The contract is dated at
Glasgow, the first of Apryle, 1476; the condi-
tiones being upon the Lord SomervhTs part, that
he should infeft his sone in the barronie of Carn-
wath and barronie of Lintoune, and the lands of
Loudoune, within a moneth eftir the date of the
contract : the tocher, four thousand merkes, pay-
able at four termes eftir the solemnizeing of the
marriage, which was performed at the house of
Eglintoune the thretteinth day of June, 1476.

The Lord Somervill haveing setled his eldest 1476.
sone in the year 1476, and gotten him confirmed
in his estate by a charter under the great seall,
was content to sitt still as ane spectator to be-
hold the many tragedies that was acted dureing

Thomas Madir, and William Pringill, comper ye said day per-
sonal)', or be yar procuratouris at yar will to ansuer in ye said
mater, and letres to be writin to warne yaim yarto."— Records
of Parliament, p. 215.

252 MEMORIE OF

this king's reigne, and the last worst of all -t for,
from the death of John Earle of Marr, the king's
youngest brother, who first began the dance,
and shortly thereftir dyed of a plurisie and too
much letting of blood,1 to the king's oune death,

1 Pitscottie, with his usual naivete, draws a striking picture
of the three royal brothers, and the difference of their manners
and dispositions : — " The prince had two brether, the eldest
called Alexander Duke of Albany and Earl of March, was very
wise and manly, and loving nothing so well as able men and
good horse, and made great cost and expences thereon ; and
for his singular wisdom and manhood he was esteemed in all
countries above his brother the king's grace ; for he was so
hardy and manly with all the lords and barrons of Scotland,
that he was holden so in estimation that they durst never rebell
against the king so long as he rang in peace and rest with his
brother the king's grace for his manhood. This Alexander was
of mid stature, broad shouldered, and well proportioned in all
his members, and especially in his face, that is to say, broad
faced, red nosed, great eared, and of very awful countenance
when he pleased to shew himself to his unfriends. But the king's
grace, his brother, was far different from his qualities and com-
plexions ; for he was one that loved solitarieness and desert, and
never to hear of wars, nor the fame thereof, but delighted more
in musick and the policies of bigging, than he did in the go-
vernance of his realm. He was also wondrous covetous in con-
quessing of money, rather than the hearts of his barons ; and
he delighted more in singing and playing upon instruments,
than he did in the defence of the borders or administration of
justice, the which, at length, caused him to come to ruin, as ye
shall hear hereafter following. But we return to the third bro-
ther, John Earl of Mar, who was young, fair, and lusty, and
one of high stature ; fair and pleasant faced ; gentle in all his

THE SOMERVILLS. 253

ther was nothing but combinationes, plottings,
and conspiracies amongst the turbulent and fac-
tious nobilitie, as would have incensed the myld-
est and meekest of princes, and disturbed the
best of governments. All the severall circum-
stances and particular actings of these tymes, is
soe faithfully and fully related by the excellent
pen of that truly worthy gentleman William
Drummond, Laird of Hathornedeane, who, in
his Historie of the Fy ve King Jameses, hes given
the world a better account of these tymes, and
the persones that was most active in them, then
all that ever wrote before him. Soe that whosoe
will be pleased to search out recordes, publict
or privat, relateing to these tymes, will find that
nothing of any moment hes escaped him that was
fitt to committ to historie, or to acquaint the suc-
ceeding ages with. As for the Lord Somervill
he mentiones him not from the tyme of the
king's takeing upon him the governement in his
oune persone, wherin the Lord Somervill had a

behaviours and manners ; and knew nothing but nobility, using
much hawking and hunting, with other gentlemanny pastime
and exercises, with knightly games, as entertaining of great
horses and mares, wherof the offspring might flourish, so that
be might be stoked in time of war." — P. 72.

8

254 MEMORIE OF

hand at the tyme, when the king, upon the ac-
count of the pretended hunting, was brought
from Linlithgow to Edinburgh castle, which
makes me apt to beleive that the Lord Somervill
hes been wholly averse from the actings of the
nobilitie, both at Lauder-Bridge, and eftirward
to the very end of this king's reigne : thairfore,
what remaines of this lord's memorie relates to
his private affaires, wherin I shall be alse breiffas
1478. possible.1 In the year 1478, the Lord Somervill
sends his eldest sone of his second marriage, na-
med John, to court, being now of the age of
eighteinth, where he was kyndely receaved be

* About this time Lord Somerville was engaged in a lawsuit
with Janet Lady Craigmiller, the widow of William Somerville,
from whom, it seems, he had detained her third part of move-
ables, including goblets, silver spoons, and money, the property
of her late husband.—" Anno 1478, XX0 Martii. The lordes
auditouris decretis and deliuiris yat Johne Lord Somervile sail
content and pay to Janet Lady of Cragmillar, ye thrid part of
ye IX*1 of demyis ; ye thrid part of thre chaldir of atis ; ye thrid
part of xi siluer peces and v gobblatis ; ye thrid part of sex siluer
spwnys ; ye thrid part of xl ky and oxin, and zong nolt perte-
ning to ye said Janet, be ye decess of vmquhile William So-
mervile, hir late spouss, becauss ye said Johne Lord Somer-
vile offtymes callit and nocht comperit failzeit in his pruf ye
day assignit to him yarfor, and ordanis letres to be writtin to
detrenze his landis and gudis herfor." — Records, ut supra, p.
249.

THE SOMERVILLS. 255

the Lord Evandell, then chancellor of Scotland,1
and within few dayes by him presented to the
king, who remembered him very weill since his
being att Cowthally, and the desyre he then had
of haveing this young gentleman at court. Thair-
fore he commands his stay: now, according to
his former promise, he will shortly see to his pre-
ferrement. However, I find not that he attain-
ed to any dureing his two yeares stay at court,
and it was happy for him that it was soe ; for the
bussines of Lauder Bridge* followed shortly ther-
eftir, wherin this gentleman might have suffered
as weill as others in the lyke conditione, which
his prudent father foirseeing, recalles his sone
from court in the year 1480; and, to setle him 1480.
at home, conferres upon him the toune of Quath-
quan the same year ; unto which right of the fa-
ther, I find this gentleman's eldest brother,
William Barrone of Carnwath, consentes, who

1 Andrew Stuart, Lord Evandale, the natural son of Sir
James Stuart, and grandson of the Duke of Albany, held the
office of Chancellor of Scotland from 1460 to 1482.

* Where James Earl of Angus, and the other nobles, seized
on the favourites of James HI. and hanged them over the
bridge at Lauder. John Ramsay of Balmain was spared on ac-
count of his youth, and perhaps from some remnant of respect
to the king, to whose person he clung in the hour of danger.

256 MEMORIE OF

was standing in the fie of that wholl barronie by
vertue of his contract of marriage, these being
the first lands that Sir John Somervill, eftirward
Barrone of Cambusnethen, had from his father
Lord John. He for ordinary, notwithstanding of
his haveing of Cambusnethen, designed himself
Sir John of Quathquan. That this gentle man
might not want imployment, and to divert him
from the thoughts of returneing to court, wherin
there was nothing but jealousies, feares, and ha-
zard of being ruined, upon the fyfteinth day of
October, 1480, his father grants him ane factorie
and right of baillzierie, to the fourth part of the
barronie of Stenhouse, which was then in his pos-
sessione, as heretor therof. Fyve years eftir this
he grantes a seasing to him of the lands of
Breuchallburne, within the barronie of Cambus-
nethen, which he ratifies and renues upon the
H86. tenth of May the succeeding year, 1486. Thir
lands of Breuchallburne, with Crindelldyke and
Femmingtoune, did belong to Robert Logane of
Restallrig, and wer given to his predecessores by
Thomas Lord Somervill, when he marryed his
daughter ; but, as it appeares, these lands lies
been reconqueist by this Lord John, and confer-
red upon his eldest sone of his second marriage,
as all the rest of the barronie of Cambusnethan

THE SOMERVILLS. %57

was, upon his marrying Elizabeth Carmichaell,
daughter to a younger brother of the Captain of
Craufuird, and half sister to Archibald Earle of
Angus, nicknamed Bell-the-Catt. The same
year, in Jully 1486, his brother William, Bar-
rone of Carnwath, Lord John's eldest sone, dyes,
and leaves only two infants, John and Hugh, to
his father's care and his brother John of Quath-
quan, the which how he performed will eftirward
appear. This year was remarkeable in Scotland
for the death of Queen Margaret, a good and
vertuous lady, who dyed and was buryed att
Cambuskenoull the twentieth and nynth of Fe-
bruary, 1486 j and in England, for that Hendrie
Earle of Richmond came with some companies
out of France, (off which that famous warrier
Bernard Stewart, Lord Oubany,1 brother to the
Lord Darnley in Scotland, had the leading,)
which, by the resort of his countreymen, turned
into ane armie, and encountered Richard, then
king, att Bazworth, where he was killed, and
Hendrie proclaimed King of England. To which
victorie it was uncertaine whither vertue or for-
tune did more contribute.

Aubigne.
It

258 MEMOItlE OF

1487. In the moneth of October, 1487, King James
the Third, being at peace with all his neighbours,
and particularly with England, a parliament was
called, which was the last that John Lord Somer-
vill sat in, being now of the age of seventy-sex.1
In this parliament many acts were made against
a ; justices

wer appoynted to passe through the wholl king-
dome, and see malefactors deservedly punished.
Acts wer made that noe conventione of friends
should be suffered for the accompanying and de-
fence of criminall persones, but that every one
attaintet should appear at most with sex procu-
rators ; that if found guilty they should not be
reft from justice by strong hand. Such of the
nobilitie who feared, and consequently hated, the
king, finding how he had acquyred the love of
his people by his pietie in the observance of re-
ligione, and his severitie in executing justice,
were driven to new meditationes how to prevent
ther oune supposed ruine, by suspecting that ere

1 His name occurs in the rolls of parliament 25th February,
14-85, but not in that of 14-87.

* The blank ought to be filled up with some allusion to the
statute against slaughter, theft, reef, heirschip, and other vio-
lent trespasses.

THE SOMERVILLS. 259

long he would be avanged upon all whom he
either knew wer accessory or suspected to have
been upon the plott of Lauder Bridge, or his
committing in the castle of Edinburgh.

But these things falling out the succeeding year,
I returne to the privat affaires of this nobleman,
who, upon the seventh day of May, 1487, grantes
ane obleidgement to his sone John, wherin he
binds himself and his heires under three thousand
punds, Scots money, one thousand therof to be
payed to the cathedrall of Glasgow, and another
thousand punds to be payed to the colledge yle
of Carnwath, and the last thousand punds to be
payed to the said Sir John and his heires, in caice
himself, his heires or successores, shall make any
disturbance to him, or his successores, in the en-
joying and possessing peaceably these lands he
had formerly disponed to him and his heires
within the barronie of Carnwath ; by which it
appeares Lord John was apprehensive that his
former grants made in favours of his sone Sir
John might be brought in question e by his
grand children, William's sones, whose father
was in the fie when most of these lands was dis-
poned, and all of them lying within the barronie
of Carnwath, and holding of the same : thairfore
he endeavoures to secure them to this his belo-

260 MEMORIE OP

ved sone by a penalty soe exorbitant and unusu-
all in that age, wherin money was soe scarce,
that, unlesse I had found this obleidgement,
which is now in my custody, I would hardly have
believed it ; and it is sad to remember what con-
traversies and deadly feed fell betwext the families
of Cowthally and Cambusnethen, some threttieth
years thereftir, principally upon the account of
these lands, that the house of Cambusnethen
held of the Lord Somervill within the barronie
of Carnwath, which shall be declared as I pro-
ceed in my relatione ; for from this lord's death
to the death of Gilbert Lord Somervill, who was
the last, I must wryte joyntly of the two houses
for neer ane hundered and fourty years, in all
which tyme ther was never a firme freindship be-
twext the families, notwithstanding of ther neer
relatione and kindred. But, passing this, I will
assert from clear evidences, that John Lord So-
mervill's second marriage with a daughter of La-
mingtounes, went neer to have ruined the estate
of Cowthally, by the large provisione he gave
his only sone of this marriage, being neer the
half, if not the better half of his wholl estate ; for
Sir John had not only the barronie of Cambus-
nethen intire, being a fourtie pund land of old
extent, but also the fourth part of the barronie

THE SOMERVILLS. 261

of Stenhouse, being a ten pund land, and a ten
merke land in the barronie of Brughtoune,
within the sherrifdome of Peebles ; and, as all
this had not been enough for the provisione of
the sone of this marriage, he gives him, con-
trary to all prudence and foirsight to the weill
of his representative, a fourty pund land out of
the barronie of Carnwath, it being in all but ane
hundered and threttie three punds sex shilling
eight pennies, Scots, of old extent. Soe that in
effect he left to his eldest sone's children nothing
but the rest of that barronie and the barronie of
Lintoune in Roxburgh Shyre, with the half of
the lands of Gillmertoune, which ther uncle Sir
John of Quathquan, alias of Cambusnethen, be-
ing ther tutor, suffered them not long to enjoy,
although eftirwards it was recovered from the
lairds of Cambusnethen by the last Lord Hugh,
great grand childe to William Barrone of Carn-
wath, and Master of Somervill, when it had been
neer four score years in the possessione of the
house of Cambusnethen. By all which, it ap-
peares that Lord John lies been absolutely go-
verned by his sone Sir John, as is evident from
many instances that might be given, but more
particularly from that obleidgement allready re-
lated.

262 MEMORIE OP

1488. The year 1488 being come, wherin King James
the Third had peace with all the world, yet could
he not enjoy that happines at home, from his fac-
tious and rebellious nobles, I can terme them no
better, let some of our partiall wrytters, parti-
cularly the author of the Douglasses Historie,
never soe much vindicat ther proceedings from
the spetious pretext of self-preservatione, for if
they had not been conscious to ther oune guilt,
ther was no necessity to fear punishment ; but
the truth is, they had soe accustomed themselves
to frequent rebellione dureing this king's reigne,
that they could not conceave themselves secure
soe long as he breathed. And, indeed, that which
gave ground and ryse to ther last act was a meer
pretext to shadow their crime j .ffor the king haver
ing founded a colledge for divine service, with
the name of the Chappell Royall, the king en-
dued this foundatione with constant rents and
ane ample revenue. The priorie of Coldinghame
being then vacant and fallen in the king's hands,
he annexes the same to his chappell royall, and
procured ane act of parliament that non of the
leidges should attempt to doe contrary to this
Butane and annexatione. The priorie of this
convent haveing been many years in the name
of Hume, it was by the gentlemen of that name

THE SOMERVILLS. 263

surmized that they should be wronged in ther
estates, by reasone of the tyes and other casuali-
ties pertaineing to this benefice, if a prior of any
other sirname wer promoted to this place. Have-
ing petitioned the king that ther might be noe
alteratione in the custome of electione, nor the
prior removed from ther name, nor the revenues
otherwayes bestowed then of old, the king con-
tinueing in his resolutione of annexing it to his
chappell, the name of Hume, a proud factione,
ffitt for the most dangerous interprizes, they re-
solve to overturne the king's intentione, and di-
vert his purpose. In order to this, they joyne
themselves with the Lord Hales, and others of
the sirname of Hume ; they enter in combina-
tione with the discontented lords, who, knowing
these two sirnames of the Humes and Hepburnes
to be numerous and powerfull, they lay hold up-
on this opportunitie from ther particular to make
the cause generall. From this small beginning
did a great mischeiff aryse, which ended not un-
till this unfortunat king was killed the eleventh
day of June, 1488, being murdered in cold blood,
in a mylne, eftir he had escaped from the battell,
by the Lord Gray, Robert Sterling of Keirie,
and Androw Borthwick, a preist. The wholl of
this narratione, and all the circumstances, is re-

264 MEMOIUE 01

lated by Drummond.' That which I take notice
of is, that Sir John of Quathquan, being upon

1 The author was probably a stranger to the more pictu-
resque account given by Pitscottie.— " The king being in or-
der, passed forward in arrayed battle. The word came to him
that his enemies were in sight. Then the king cried for his
horse, and lap upon the horse that the Lord David had given,
and rode to see and know the manner of their coming. The
king beheld them in three battles, to the number of six thou-
sand men in every battle; the Humes and the Hepburns ha-
ving the vanguard, with the Merse and Teviotdale, with the
East Lothian : and next them in battle Liddesdale and Anan-
dale, and many of Galloway : and then came all the whole lords
that conspired against the king, and brought with them in com-
pany the prince, to be their backler and safeguard, and hasted
fast forward with great courage, because they knew the king's
qualities, that he was never hardy nor yet constant in battle.
Then the king seeing his enemies coming forward with his own
banner displayed, and his son against him, he remembered the
words that the witch spoke to him before, ' That he should be
destroyed and put down by the nearest of his kin,' which he
saw apparently for to come to pass at that time ; and, by the
words of the foresaid witch, illusion and enticement of the de-
vil, he took a vain suspicion in his mind that he hastily took
purpose to flee.

" In this meantime, the lords seeing the king tyne courage,
desired him to pass by the host till they had foughten the bat-
tle ; but by this the Humes and the Hepburns came so fast upon
the king's vanguard, and on the other side they shot them so
fast with arrows, that they hurt and slew many of the horses,
and put them a-back : But at the last, the thieves of Ananda!e
came in shouting and crying, and feared the king so (having no
and thought to win the town of Stirling ; but he spurred his horse
practice in war,) that he took purpose to flee, and ran his way,
at the flight-speed. Coming through the town of Bannockburn,

THE SOMERVILLS. 265

the kings sytle at this battell, as sent by his fa-
ther to serve his majestie, was here taken pri-

a woman seeing a man coming fast upon his horse, she stand-
ing in a slonk bringing home water, she ran fast away, and left
the pig behind her. So the king's horse, seeing this, lap over
the burn, and slonk of free will, but the king was evil sitting,
and fell off his horse at the mill-door of Bannockburn, and was
so bruised with his fall and weight of his harness, that he fell
in a swoon ; and the miller and his wife haled him out of it into
the mill, not knowing what he was, but cast him into a nuik
and covered him with a cloth. While, at the last, the king's
host knowing that the king was gone and fled, debated them-
selves manfully ; and knowing that they were borderers and
thieves that dealt with them, therefore they had the more cou-
rage for to defend themselves. At last they returned and fled
in good order till they got the Torwood, and there debated a
long time while night came, and then many of the said army
passed to Stirling, and, other enemies following them, many
were taken and hurt on both sides, but i^ew slain.

" But at last, when all the host was passing by, and the ene-
mies returned again, the king overcame lying in the mill, and
cried if there was any priest to make his confession. The mill-
er and his wife hearing thir words, required of him what man
he was, and what his name was. He happened out unluckily,
and said, * I was your king this day at morn.' Then the miller's
wife clapt her hands, and ran forth, and cried for a priest to
the king. In the meantime a priest was coming by (some said
it was the Lord Gray's servant,) and he answered, * Here am
I, a priest ; where is the king ?' Then the miller's wife took the
priest by the hand, and led him into the mill, where the king
lay. As soon as the priest saw the king, he knew him incon-
tinently, and kneeled down upon his knee, and speired at the
king's grace, * If he might live if he had good latching,' Who
answered him and said, ' He trowed he might, but desired a
priest to take his advice and give him his sacrament.' The

<26'6 MEMORIE OF

soner, and obleidgcd to the Earle of Angus for
his safety and liberty, whose half sister he was in
suite of the succeeding year, 1489, and therby
procured unto himself great courtship and favour
during the wholl reign of King James the Fourth.
The Lord Somervill, eftir the returne of his
sone from the battell of Saughburne, wherat
the king's forces was defeat, as is allreaddy re-
lated, did not at all concerne himself in pub-
lict or privat affaires, being very aged. He com-
mitted the mannadgement of all his oune and
his grand children's bussines to the care of this
his sone and ther uncle Neither doe I find any
evidences or wryttes relateing to this noble man
but two ; the first being a ratificatione of the
rights made to the lands and barronie of Cam-

priest answered and said, * That I shall do hastily ;' and pulled
out a whinger, and gave him four or five strokes even into the
heart, and then got him on his back and went away. But no
man wist what he did with him, or where he yearded him ; for
no wit was gotten of him or of his dead, nor yet who slew him,
a month after. Notwithstanding the battles were dissevered,
in manner as I have shewn, the king's battle fled to Stirling, and
the other passed that night to their tents, and on the morn to
Lithgow. I cannot hear of no man of reputation that was slain
at that time ; but there were many earls, lords, and barons that
were taken and ransomed. This unhappy battle was stricken
the month of June, the eighteenth day, one thousand four hun-
dred and eighty-eight years." — P. 89.

THE SOMERVILLS. %67

busnethen, upon his sone's marrying with the
house of Angus, which is dated att Cowthally
the last of October, 1489. The second is a sub- 1489.
missione betwext him and Sir William Ken-
nedies, Lord of Saint Johns, to Robert Deill of
that ilk, and Sir Stephan Lockhart of Cleghorne,
knight, wherin he submittes all contraversies be-
twext him and the said Sir William, anent the
right of the Lord Saint John's tennents privi-
ledge of grasseing ther goods within the pastur-
ages of the nether toune of Cambusnethen, to
the tryall of ane inqueist before these gentlemen
appoynted and sitting as baillzies for that day.
This submissione, or act of court, is dated att
Cambusnethen the nyneteinth day of Apryle,
the year of God 1489, and lies affixt to it the
sealles of the Lockharts and Deilles.' This con-

1 The Dalzells, pronounced Diyell. Lord Somerville seems
(o have been engaged in more than one controversy with this
Sir William Dalzell ; at least we find that he came off loser in
one respecting the rents of the lands of Kittemuir. — " Anno
14?7S, XI0 Martii. The lordis auditouris decretis, that William
of Dalzell has done na wrang in ye taking of ye malis of ye
landis of Kittemur, beand in ward sett and assignit to him be
Johne Lord Somervile, and yat ye said John Somervile sail re-
store and deliuir agane to Gawane Hammiltoun and yar bre-
dir ye twa horss quilk he gert tak for ye said malis fra yaim,
and yat he grantit to do in presras of ye lordis without preiu-

268 MEMORIE OF

traversie being setled, the Lord Somervill re-
turnes to Covvthally, from which I find not that
he made any progresse untill the day of his death,
which happened the ensueing year, in Novem-
ber, 1491, in which moncth he dyed, and was
honourably buryed with great splendour and
pompe by his sone Sir John, and his two sones
in law, Sir John Gerdoune of Aplegirth, and
Sir Stephan Lockhart of Cleghorne, in the col-
legiat yle of Carnwath, hard by his father Lord
William. He had issue by his two ladyes four
children, two of each marriage ; first, William
Barrone of Carnwath, and Hellen, named eftir
her mother, marryed upon Sir John Gerdoune
of Aplegirth ; and of the second marriage, Sir
John of Quathquan, alias of Camnethen, and
Marie, marryed to Sir Stephan Lockhart of Cleg-
horne. He was a noble man, brave and active
both in publict and privat ; mannadgeing of his
wholl affaires with much discratione in ane age
wherin ther happened soe many revolutiones and
dounefallings of many of the most eminent fa-
milies in Scotland, dureing the reigne of the four
King Jameses j the reigne of the first three he had

dice of ony clame yat he has to ony uyir persons anent ye said
malis." — Records of Parliament, p. 238.

THE SOMERVILLS. 269

compleatly seen, and three years of the fourth.1
In what conditione he left his estate will appear
in the memorie of his grande childe Lord John,
that succeeded to him.

QffJVilliam, the third of that Name, Barrone of
Camwath, Master of Somervill, the tenth of
Lintoime, the seventh of Carnwath, the fyfteinth
from Sir Gualter de Somervill.

Before that wee wryte any thing of the sonc
Lord John that succeeded to his father William,
or rather to his grandfather Lord John, that out-
lived his sone, wee must give, in short, the me-
morie of the father William Barrone of Carn-
wath, as he is designed in all the evidences that
I have of him. He was eldest sone and appeare-
and heir to John Lord Somervill, by Hellen Hep-
burne, his first lady, daughter to Adam Hep-
burne, the first Lord Hales.* This young noble-

1 We may add to the sketch of John Lord Somerville, that
he had either a natural disposition for litigation, or at least was
frequently involved in it, since we have been enabled, in some
degree, to illustrate the events of his life from the frequent oc-
currence of his law-suits before the king and council.

2 The paramour, as is stated by our historians, of Mary of

2/0 MEMORIE OF

man, at the age of twentieth and sex, or therby,
was marryed to Marjorie Montgomerie, eldest
daugliter to Hugh Lord Montgomerie, upon the
thretteinth day of June, 1476, with whom he
had two sones, John and Hugh : both of them
succeeded to him and ther grandfather Lord
John, and came to be Lord Somervills.1 Upon
his marriage, he was infeft by his father in the
barronies of Carnwath and Lintoune, and in the
half of the lands of Gillmertoune, by ane precept
direct out of the chancellarie, upon the fyfth
day of June, 1476. He was confirmed in all
these lands by King James the Third, and that

Gueldres, though Lord Hailes has laboured hard to wipe away
the scandal. Mr Pinkerton quotes a fatal passage from Wyr-
cestre, wherein the historian charges her with an amour with
Somerset, and adds, that being incensed at his vanity in expo-
sing her frailty to Louis XI. (who, by the way, was a great in-
vestigator of scandalous mysteries, ) the queen employed her
new lover, the Lord of Hailes, to assassinate his indiscreet pre-
decessor in her affections. The old play- Wright's reflection na-
turally occurs :

He that attempts a prince's lawless love
Must have broad hands, close heart, with Argus eyes,
And back of Hercules, or else he dies. — Marston.
1 He was afterwards contracted to Janet Douglas, a daugh-
ter of William Douglas of Drumlanrig. As her portion of 1003
merks became afterwards subject of a law-suit before the king's
council, it seems doubtful whether the marriage ever took
place. See a subsequent note.

I

THE SOMERVILLS. 271

by a charter under the great seall, dated att
Edinburgh, the second day of May, 1477; ther
being witnesses to this charter, John Layng Bi-
shope of Glasgow ; William Bishope of Orknay ;
Andrew Stewart, Lord Evandcll, Great Chan-
cellor of Scotland ; the Earles of Argyle, Crau-
fuird, Carlyle, and James the First Lord Hamil-
ton, with severall others. Here I cannot but ad-
mire that this young nobleman, being infeft and
confirmed by the king in the lands of Gillmer-
toune, in the before-mentioned charter, what
should have moved him much about the same
tyme to take these lands of Gillmertoune, hold-
en of Malcolm e Grahame, Earle of Monteith,
as superior; for I find two seasings, dated the
last of October, 1477, taken by William Barrone
of Carnwath, upon a charter granted be the same
Malcolme Grahame, dated the twentieth and
nynth of October, 1477, for certanely neither he
himself, nor his father Lord John, who outlived
him fiyve years, could be ignorant what hazard
they run, by disclameing ther superior the king,
of whom, as Earles of Strathearne, they held
these lands of Gillmertoune ; and the truth is,
William's heires was losers for it eftirward, it be-
ing upon this very ground and mistake, that

Q72 MEM0R1E OF

ther uncle, tutor, and curator, Sir John of Quath-
quan, Barrone of Cambusnethen, obtained the
lands of Gillmertoune, Drum, and Gutters, be-
ing then but pertenents of Gillmertoune, by a
gift of recognitione from King James the Fourth,
which shall be spocken to when I come to wryte
of John Lord Somervill, the eldest sone and heir
of this William Barrone of Carnwath ; and as
this was a grosse mistake, and exceedingly pre-
judiciall to his successores, soe did he committ a
far greater error, that being himself in the fie of
all the barronie of Carnwath, that he should have
consented to his ffather's deed in putting his
brother John, of a second marriage, in soe much
or any part of that barronie of Carnwath, seing
his father was but a naked liferenter, and could
not dispose of any part of the proppertie to his
prejudice, especially considering that his brother
had the barronie of Cambusnethen, and severall
other lands for his patrimonie. Let the motives
be what they will wherupon this young noble-
man consented to this deed of his father's in be-
half of his brother, I find noe shadow of reasone
for it, but that it either testified much simplici-
tie, or, in the favourable constructione, too good
a nature in him to be so far to his oune and his
7

THE SOMERVILLS. 273

heires prejudice outwitted in this by his brother
Sir John of Quathquan.1 However, I find this
obleidgement with the charter therupon, dated
att Cambusnethen the twentieth of March, 1480,
some sex years before he dyed. Severall other
wryttes relateing to this young nobleman, Wil-
liam, Master of Somervill, I have by me, wherin
his father Lord John and his brother Sir John
of Quathquan, are most concerned ; thairfore I
will remitt them to the remaining part of the fa-
ther's memorie, and his brother's life, and only
make knoune that this William Barrone of Carn-
wath, or Master of Somervill, dyed in the tower
of Carnwath toune, where he dwelt, much about

* There is great room to think that William, apparent heir
of John Lord Somerville, did not voluntarily consent to the
alienation of so large a portion of the family estate in favour of
his brother of the second marriage ; for it appears, from the
following passage in the Scottish records, that he had commen-
ced an action against his father, probably on account of this
very settlement, although the action was dropped from some
cause which we may now look for in vain.—" Before the lord is
auditouris comperit Johne Somervale, procuratour for Johne
Lord Somervale, and protestit yat William Somervale, his sone
and apperand are gart summond him at his instance, and wald
nocht compere to folow him, he beand oft tymes callit yar to,
that yarfore ye said William be nocht hard in jugement in
yat mater, quhill he haue pait ye costis expenss of ye said lord,
and new summondis be maid on him." — P. 341.

274 MEMORIE OP

the threttieth and fyfth year of his age, in anno
1488, and lyes buryed in the yle of the collegia!
church of Carnwath. His vertuous lady, Mar-
jorie Montgomerie, outlived him but a few years,
and lyes buryed in the same yle.

Offjolm Lord Somervill, thejfyft of that Name,
the eleventh Barrone of Lintoune, the eighth of
Carnwath, the fourth Lord Somervill, and the
Sexteinth from Sir Gualter de Somervill, Lord
of Whichenour in England*

i486. John Lord Somervill, and his brother Hugh,
1491. wer teft infants, both by ther father William
Barrone of Carnwath, and ther grandfather Lord
John, the eldest not being fully four, and Hugh
scarce two years of age, to the care and tutorie
of ther uncle Sir John of Quathquan, the first
Barrone of Cambusnethen of the name of Somer-
vill, albeit the same did belong to the house of
Cowthally, since the marriage of John Somervill
with Margaret Edmondstone, daughter to Sir
John Edmondstone, in the year 1378, neer ane
hundered years before it was a distinct familie
by itself, wherof now I will have frequent occa-
sione to wryte as I proceed in relateing the

THE SOMERVILLS. 275

lyves of the remaining Lord Somervills unto the
year 1620.

Sir John Somervill of Quathquan being sole
tutor to his two nephewes, had both ther per-
sonall and reall estate at his disposeing. In what
conditione the same was left at the grandfather's
death it is hard to know, but in all probabilitie
it could not be good, especially considering the
large portione Sir John had gotten himself, and
the joynter of his mother, Dame Mary Baillzie*
relict of John Lord Somervill; but whatever
may be in this, as to the bad conditione of the
estate, and the minoritie of the children, that
was not the only misfortune of the familie of
Cowthally, for the representatione1 therof, Lord
John, proved a simpletoune, altogither unfitt to
mannadge or direct his own privat affaires ; soe
that this his tutor, Sir John of Quathquan, had
a fair prospect for the Lordship of Somervill, if
Hugh, Lord John's only brother, had been re-
moved. However, as Sir John did some ill of-
fice to the house of Cowthally, soe did he a spe-
ciall good one ; for the barronie of Carnwatb

Representative.

276 MEMGRIE OF

holding black waird1 before this, he, by his court-
ship* and favour with King James the Fourth,
the great interest he had there, by his brother-
in-law Archibald Earle of Angus, being chan-
cellor, he gott the holding changed from waird
to blenche, the reddendo being

with the additione of ane new fair and weekly
market upon the Sabbath, which continued un-
till the Reformatione.
3491. But that I may come more particularly to Sir
John's actings in his pupills affaires, the first pa-
per I find is ane inqueist holden by Sir John, in
Lord John's name, att Carnwath, the sexteinth
day of December, 1491, which was a moneth, or
therby, eftir his grandfather's death, Lord John :
this service related to some lands in Newbigging.3

1 The military tenures in Scotland were called Ward-hold-
ings, from the care of the estate devolving upon the superior
during the minority of the vassal. When a vassal held a fee ward
of a subject, who again held it by the same tenure of the crown,
it was called a Black-ward-holding, and was the most rigorous
in the Scottish law, for the subvassal had not only to fight the
battles of both superiors, but he was also liable to be excluded
from the estate by the higher superior, during the minority of
the subject superior.

* i. e. interest at court.

3 There is notice of a subsequent family transaction in the

THE SOMERVILLS. £77

The second evidence is, that one Hendrie Dou-
glas, clameing right to certaine lands in Quath-
quan, had procured a breiff out of the chancel-
lary for infefting himself in these lands. Wher-
upon Sir John of Quathquan, as tutor to the
Lord Somervill, gives in a complaint to the king
and counsell, supplicating in his pupill's behalf,

records of the council, namely, an action for recovery of 1000
merks, the marriage portion of Janet, daughter of Douglas
of Drumlanrig, betrothed or married to the deceased Wil-
liam, Master of Somerville — " 1491, xiiii Februarii. The ac-
tioun and cause persewit be Marioun Laidy Somervale, Schir
William Bailze of Lammyntovvn, Johne Somervale, and Tho-
mas Someruale, executouris and assignais of vmquhile Johne
Lord Someruale, aganis James Dowglas, sone and are of vmqu-
hile William Dowglas of Drumlanark, Robert Lord Crechtoun
of Sanchquhare, Schir Robert Crechtoun, son and are to vm-
quhile Robert Crechtoun of Kynnovle, Edward Crechtoun of
Kirpatrick, and Robert Maitland of Qwenybery, for ye wrang-
wis withhaldin fra yame ye soume of ane thowsand markis for
contract of manage completit betuix. William Somervale, ye
sone and air of ye said vmquhile Johne, and Janet dochtir to
ye said William Dowglas, is be ye lordis of consale and audi-
touris of causs contenewit to ye xviii day of Junii nixt to cum,
with continuatioun of dais in ye sammyn forme and effect as it
now is, but preiudice of partii, and all ye partiis ar summond
apud acta, and becaus ye saidis Robert Lord Crechtoun, Schir
Robert Crechtoun, Edward Crechtoun, and Robert Maitland,
allegiit that James of Dowglas suld warrand yaim, the lordis
yarfore assignis to yaim ye said day with continuatioun of dais
to call yat forsaid warrend."— Records of the Parliament of
Scotland.

278 MEMORIE OF

as being superior to these lands. Wherupon the
king grantes a warrand, directed to John Nisbett
of Dallzell, John Somervill, Thomas Somervill,
William Somervill, and George of Cottes, as
shirreffs in that part, to charge the said Hendrie
Douglas that he instantly requyre the tutor of
the said Lord Somervill, to give him state and
seasing of that portione of Quathquan that he
claimed in heretage, the which seasing he should
receave under the highest pain and perrill. This
order, or letters, is given under the signet, the
fyfth day of November, the seventh year of King
James the Fourth's reigne, which was in anno
1495. 1495. Thir letters wer execute by the shirrefs
unto whom they wer directed, upon the twen-
H96. tieth day of June, 1496. Four years eftir this,
1500. upon the eight day of Apryle, 1500, at Edin-
burgh, he caused serve John Lord Somervill,
heir to his father William Barrone of Carnwath,
to the lands of Gillmertoune, with the pertinents,
Patrick Hepburne, Lord Hales, the first Earle
of Bothwell of that name, being sherrefF princi-
pall of Mid-Louthan, and Mr James Henderson,
procurator for the Lord Somervill. The instru-
ment extracted upon the service is dated the
twentieth and eight day of Apryle the same
year. This service, with that of the father's, was

THE SOMERVILLS. 279

the ground that these lands of Gillmertoun re-
cognostj for, in anno 1502, the king persewes 1502.
criminally all the gentlemen that was upon the in-
queist, for haveing wrongously served Lord John
heir to his father William, who had, by his service
and infeftment in these lands, disclaimed his su-
perior the king, of whom, as Eajle of Strathearne,
he held the same, and had taken them holden of
the Earle of Monteith, the pretended superior."
This was a sore beginning for Sir John of Quath-
quan to encroach upon his pupill's estate j but
that which contribut most for carrying of thjr
lands from Lord John to himself and his poste-
ritie, was a decreit the king obtained against the
wholl lands of Gillmertoune for four score merkes
yearly, as due to him and his predecessores for
sextieth years preceeding, out of these lands.
This actione was persewed against John Lord
Somervill, James Ramsay, and Patrick Herring,
ther predecessores and authores upward to the
year 1440, and decreited against all of thern

1 The vassal, who, whether from ignorance, or wilfully, disr-
owned his lawful superior, by taking out rights from another,
committed the feudal delinquency, termed in the Scottish law
Disclamation, the penalty of which was the forfeiture of the
fee. — Regiam Majestatem. Lib. 2. cap. 63. § 4, 6, %

280 MEMORIE OF

conforme to ther severall possessiones. This de-
creit is dated att Edinburgh, the eight day of
November, 1503, written in parchement, and
hes the great seall appended therto. Three years
preceeding this, Sir John, as tutor, had persew-
ed Simeon Prestoune of that ilk, son to the
Laird of Craigmiller, and severall others for ther
wrongous labouring and possessing the lands of
Gillmertoune and Gutters from the year 1500,
and some years preceeding. The right Craig-
miller pretended was be ane assignatione from
his father William, with whom John Lord So-
mervill and William his sone, the father and
grandfather of this present lord, had transacted
and made some bargane anent these lands of
Gillmertoune and Gutters, but what it was I find
not, further then by the decreit obtained against
them, it would appear to have been either a leish
for some years, or a forme of wodset ' then in

1 The wad-sett, or empledging of lands in security of money-
advanced, was originally always followed by possession on part
of the creditor, who held the lands and drew the rents, and acted
in every respect as proprietor, until the money advanced was
repaid. This was a mode of evading the laws against exaction
of interest. Afterwards improper wadsets were introduced, so
called as being less strictly according to legal principle. In this
latter class, the creditor, or wadsetter, was obliged to account
for the rents if he received any thing beyond the legal interest.

THE SOMERVILLS. 28 1

use, redeemable by ther possessione ; but what-
ever might have been the right they brooked by,
they were all outed of ther possessione, and or-
dained to pay a considerable soume of money by
the lords of counsell ther decreit, the last of
March, 1502.

What Sir John of Quathquan did in this af-
fair, or any other relateing to the lands of Lou-
thian, accressed to his oune particular benefite ;
for, in the year 1498, upon the eight day of
September, he procures from King James the
Fourth, not only a gift of the nonentry1 of the
lands of Gillmertoune, containeing a right to all
the bygone mailles and duties, and these to come
dureing the nonentry of the righteous heires of
the Lord Somervill, that was last infeft by the
king in these lands, but also ane right to the re-
cognitione,* wherby he claimed the proppertie,

* By the feudal law, the fief reverted to the superior, or over-
lord, in case the heir of the vassal did not enter with his lord,
2. e. procure the renewal of the investiture in his own person.
The family of Somerville were subjected to this casualty or pe-
nalty of non-entry in consequence of having taken out an in-
vestiture from the Earls of Menteith, instead of the crown, their
legal superior.

* Another penalty of the feudal law, which, like all others,
turned on the main principle, that the fief, being the free gift
of the superior, reverted to him on any deed which publicly

£82 MEMORIE OF

in caice it should be found they had declyned
ther superior. This was the thing he designed j
for he understood weill enough what his elder
brother had done with the Earle of Menteith in
order to these lands ; and he himself had caused
his pupill Lord John enter heir to his father up-
on that very service, by which, now he was to
carry away the proppertie of these lands to him-
self and his heires for ever, by the right of re-
cognitione and the king's gift, if a wonderfull
providence (by the chancellor's care, then George
Gourdoune, Earle of Huntley) had not prevent-
ed it, who, observeing the fraud, insert four or
fyve words in favour of the Lord Somervill and
his successores, which eftirward did cause these
lands returne to the righteous heir, when they
had been possessed by vertue of this gift neer
four score years by the house of Cambusnethen.
And seing this grant was that whereby the lairds
of Cambusnethen possessed the lands of Gill-
mertoune, and that lykewayes wherby the Lord
Somervill recovered them again, I think it not

testified the desertion or ingratitude of the vassal. Recogni-
tion took place in the stricter feudal times upon the non-entry
of the heir, but was afterwards limited to those cases when the
vassal presumed to dispose of the fief to a stranger without
consent of the liege lord.

THE SOMERVILLS. 283

impertinent to insert the gift, as it was granted
by King James the Fourth, in this lords me-
morie.

" James, by the grace of God, King of Scots :
Till all and sundry our officers, leidges, and sub-
jects whom it effeires, till whose knowledge thir
our letters shall come, greeting. Witt ye us that
fforsuameikleas wee are sickerly informed that
the half of the lands of Gillmertoune with the
pertinents, to quhilke our cousine John Lord
Somervill and alleadged to be

holden of the Earle of March,' are holden of us
as Earle of Stratherne, be our said cousine and
his predecessores immediately, and lies been of a
long tyme in our predecessores hands and ours
as superiors therof, through the nonentry of the
righteous heires therto be us, and therfore for
the good and thankfull service done to us be our
lovit cousine, John Somervill of Cambusnethen,
Knight, we have given and assigned, and be thir
our letters, gives and assignes to him, all mailles,
profites, and duties of all and haill the half of the
saids lands of Gillmertoune, with the pertinents
for all the tyme that they have been in our pre-

1 Menteith.

284 MEM0R1E OF

decessores hands and ours, and shall happen to
be by reasone foresaid, and ay and whill the
righteous heir or heires therof be lawfully en-
tered therto be us, fallen in or hands by reasone
above written.1 With power to the said John to
raise and uplift the mailles and profites of the
saids lands of all tymes bygaine, or to occupy
the samen, or sett them to tennents to his maist
utilitie and proflte, and as he shall think maist
expedient in tyme to come, whill the entrie of
the righteous heires, as said is, freely, quyetly,
weill and in peace, but any revocatione or againe
calling whatsomever ; and attour, giff it beis
found that the said umquhile John Lord Somer-
vill, or any others his predecessores or his suc-
cessors, heires of the saids lands, hes taken
pretended therto of any

other pretended over lord, but of us and our
predecessores, and that they have forfaulted the
saids lands therthrough, Wee give and grant the
samen likewayes to the said John and his heires,
being in our hands by reasone of the said for-

1 Upon this clause lay the claim of the lords Somerville,
afterwards successfully enforced, since the grant to Sir John of
Quathquan, or Cambusnethan, was qualified in its endurance un-
til the heir of the family should take investitures from the crown.

THE SOMERVILLS. 285

faulture, and shall make him and his heires to
have heretable infeftment therof be charters and
seasings, in due forme as effeires, alse freely as
they wer holden of the Earle of Stratherne, or
any others our predecessores before the said for-
faulture ; wherfore wee charge straitly and com-
mands you all and sundry our officers, leidges,
and subjects forsaid, that non of you take on
hand to make any molestatione, trouble, or im-
pediment to the said John Somervill, in the
peaceable raiseing and uplifting of all the mailles
and profites of the saids lands of all tymes by-
gaine, or in the peaceable brookeing and raise-
ing therof in time to come, ay and whill the en-
trie of the righteous heir or heires therto as said
is, or to doe or attempt any thing contrair this
our gift in any wayes under all the highest pain
and charge that eftir may follow. Given under
our privie seall att Stirling, the eight day of Sep-
tember, the year of God 1498, and of his majes-
ties reigne the tenth year."

It was by this unhappie gift that Sir John of
Quathquan possessed himself of the lands of
Mid-Louthian to the prejudice of his pupill ; and
his successores for two generationes had no bet-
ter title (save possessione) then what this gift
gave them, which was soe easily reduceable in

286 MEMORIE OF

itself, if the least notice had been taken therto j
and its strange to thinke that the first Lord
Hugh, being soe intelligent and active in all his
concernes, when he came to the possessione of
his brother's estate, and entered himself heir
both to that and to his title, that nether he dure-
ing his life, noe, nor yet his son, Lord James,
should have challenged the house of Cambus-
nethen, who peaceably, without ever being quar-
relled, enjoyed the lands of Drum, Gillmertoune,
and the Gutters for three score and twelve years,
untill a wonderful! providence brought it to
light, which eftirward shall be declared, when I
come to wryte the memorie of James Lord So-
mervill, by which it will appear that the only
reasone why the Lairds of Cambusnethen's right
was not quarrelled lies been, by keeping up the
gift from the knowledge of the house of Cow-
thally ; for, soe soon as it came to be discover-
ed, the iniquitie and wrong of ther possessione
of these lands was soon found out, and accord-
ingly decreited in favours of the Lord Somervill.
However, Sir John haveing procured the gift
in anno 1498, thereftir in anno 1499, upon the
tenth day of May, he holds court att Gillmer-
toune, as baillzie to the Earle of Menteith, pre-
tended superior of that barronie. What might

THE SOMERVILLS. 287

have been his reasone in takeing such a warrand
or right from the Earle of Menteith I cannot
understand, unles it hes been to fortifie or se-
cond the king's gift, in caice it should be chal-
lenged by the Earles of Menteith, whose prede-
cessores clamed right as superiors of the barronie
of Gillmertoune, by virtue of Patrick Grahame,
a younger brother of the Lord Grahames, ther
predecessor, who marryed the only daughter of
David Stewart, Earle of Stratherne, uncle to
King James the First. But this doeing of Sir
John of Quathquans being a mjstery, I cannot
understand, thairfore I leave it, and only inform e
that at this court, amongst others that possessed
the lands of Gillmertoune, he conveined John
of Prestoune, soe designed. What this gentleman
was I cannot come to the knowledge of; but it
appeares he hes been a brother of the house Of
Craigmiller ; for eftirward William and Simeon
Prestoune wer persewed by this Sir John of
Quathquan, for ther wrongous possessing the
lands of Gillmertoune, and decreit obtained
against them, as is allready related.

The time of Sir John's tutory and curatry 1506.
(for he was both) expyreing in the year 1506,
he was not wanting to secure himself and his
successores from all hazard they might incurre,

288 MEMORIE OF

for his intromissione with the pupills estate or
acting in his affaires, and that by ane ample dis-
charge and declaratione approveing all that ever
he had done dureing the long tyme of his tutorie
and curatorie. This declaratione is drawen by
way of instrument, before Thomas Greenly and
George Wood, commissars of Edinburgh, and
James Hendersone of Fordell, then Justice Clerk.
It is subscryved by Lord John himself, with his
hand at the pen, by two nottars, with two sealles
appended therto, the one bearing the Lord So-
mervill's armes, and the other the commissar's
seall of Edinburgh. The instrument is written
in parchement, and dated att Edinburgh, the
1510. eleventh day of August, 1510. This is the first
and the last tyme that ever I find this lord come
to Edinburgh, or any place else in publict, from
his oune house of Cowthally ; but this was a sin-
gular caice which his good tutor could not dis-
pense with, being one of the neerest
in his tyme. Eftir the year 1510, I find not that
Sir John of Quathquan, for I may still designe
him soe, albeit he was Laird of Cambusnethen,
at this tyme concerned himself in the Lord So-
mervill's affaires ; for his only brother, Hugh,
being now past his minoritie, and in man's
estate a pregnant witt that

6

THE SOMERVILLS. 289

the weakness and simplicitie of his brother, Lord
John, had made him a prey to all that acted in
his affaires j and that in many things he had been
abused by his tuter and curator. Thairfore he
takes upon him to act in all his brother's busi-
nesses, knowing that himself was to succeed to
that estate att or before his brother's death,
seeing that he was altogether uncapable to go-
verne the same, albeit for the tyme he was borne
up by the moyen and interest that Sir John of
Quathquan had att court, and the great influence
he had upon other freinds and relationes of the
house of Cowthally, he himself being the pre-
sumptive heir of that familie, the two brothers
being removed. And now, ther being litle more
to be said as to this lord's memorie, albeit he
lived untill the year 1524, but what either Sir
John of Quathquan, his sone Red-bag, or his
oune brother Hugh was concerned in, I shall
referre what is further to be spocken of him to
ther memories ; and seing Sir John of Quath-
quan stands in my way, I shall begin first with
him, as being the greatest cadit that ever came
of the house of Cowthally.

21)0 MEMORIE OF

Off Sir John of Quathquan, thejirst Barrone of
Cambiisnethen of the Name of Somervill, since
it became a distinct Familiefrom Cowthally.

Sir John Somervill of Quathquan, Barrone of
Cambiisnethen, and proprietar of many lands
besyde, was borne att Cambusnethen in anno
1457, the only sone of his father's second mar-
riage, by a daughter of the Laird of Laming-
tounes. He was only four years younger then
his eldest brother William, of the first marriage ;
and with him was brought up att schoolles and
such manly exercises as was in use at that tyme.
Ther was never two brothers of soe contrary hu-
mors and inclinationes as these two wer ; for, as
William was simple and of ane easy nature to be
persuaded to any thing, albeit to his disadvan-
tage, which is evident from what we have of
him, soe his brother John was of a quyte con-
trary humour, being warry and circumspect in
all his actiones, which he manadged still to his
best advantage. In his very youth he promised
much, being a darring spirit, and still desyreous
of imployments, which made his father, Lord
John, love him from his very infancy ; and soe

THE SOMERVILLS. 29 1

soon as he came to be a man, he intrusted him
in all his privat affaires; made him baillzie of
his barronie at the age of twentieth, in which
employment he gave ample testimony of his witt
and courtesie, by ane obleidgeing carriage to all
that had ther addresse to his father .for bussines
wherin he was to be concerned as his father's
baillzie, soe that absolutely he gained the favour
and good will of his father's vassalles and ten-
nents, who then wer not a few, in the shiref-
domes of Clidsedale, Mid-Louthian, and Rox-
burgh. But being now of the age of twentieth
and three, or therby, a compleat gentleman both
in persone and parts, his stirring thoughts wer
not to be confyned to his father's house and
privat affaires. The court was in his eye, ther
being noe use for the campe, King James the
Third haveing made peace with Hendrie the
Sexth of England. The principall governement
of affaires was then in the hands of Andrew
Stewart, Lord Evandell, Chancellor of Scotland,
who was the first that took notice of him, being
weill acquainted with his father, Lord John,
since the pretended hunting and the kings
bringing off from Linlithgow to Edinburgh cas-
tle ; att which tyme he took the governement
upon himself, at the instigatione of the Boydes,

292 MEMORIE OF

and these that adhered to them in that designe,
wherof the Lord Somervill was one. The king
then keeped court att Stirling, and few of the
nobilitie resorted thairto, the Cochrans and

men of mean extractione
about this tyme wer beginning to have the king's
ear ; soe that persones of qualitie disdained to
have or accept of favours by ther meanes. How-
ever, this young gentleman remained att court
neer two years in the retinue of the chancellor,
who, besyde a particular kyndenes and freind-
ship he boor to the Lord Somervill, had, by his
mother, a neer relatione to the house of Cow-
thally; and the truth is, if this gentleman had
continued att court a litle longer, by the king's
favour and the chancellor's kyndenes, he might
have made a considerable figure. Thairfbre the
king's majestie being informed by the chancellor
what he was, took particular notice of him, and
seeing his persone handsome and his addresse
courtly, commanded his stay att court ; which,
if he had done, undoubtedly it would either have
been to his great honour and advantage, or else
he had perished as weill as others, if his birth
and qualitie had not preserved it from that
storme which sank most of the king's favourites
dureing his reigne, yea, and at his death too.

THE SOMERVILLS. 293

But, to prevent any such misfortune to the sone,
the father comes to ye court, the king being att
Linlithgow, where he understands the discon-
tent of the nobilitie, and what was lyke to fol-
low. The plot of Lauder Bridge was about this
tyme contryveing, which took effect some two
years eftir, to the mine and destructione of the
king's most intimate favourites ; which this no-
bleman fbrseeing, and unwilling that his sone
should spleit upon the rockes of court favours,
noe intreatie of the chancellors could perswade
him to let his sone remaine any longer there,
pretending himself was now infirme, by reasone
of his age, his eldest sone sicklie, and under
such decay as, in all human probabilitie, he
could not live long. Albeit ther was truth, it
was but a pretext ; for this lord foirsaw the
storme, and thairfore resolved to reteire his sone
both from the envy of the nobilitie and the ha-
zard he might incurre therby. Besyde this, he
was fondly affectioned toward him, and seldome
could dispence with his absence from his oune
persone, which was the reasone that, dureing his
father's life, he gott noe great things done at
court. Being now returned home, he sett him-
self wholly to humor his father, which he did
soe weill, that he bestowed upon him the toune

294- MEMORIE OF

and lands of Quathquan, the proppertie wherof
some years preceeding had been purchased from
Thomas Chorsewood, nephew to George Chorse-
wood, Bishope of Brichen, some tyme Chancel-
lor of Scotland. This being the first land that
ever Sir John was infeft in, he still design es him-
self by them.

Archibald Earle of Angus being one of the
discontented, for the most part had his residence
att Douglas castle. The Lord Somervill now and
then payed him a visite, and reciprocally recea-
ved the lyke from his lordship ; at these inter-
views this young gentleman was ever present
with his father, which occasioned the earle to
converse much with him, whereby he found his
inward induements answearable to the hand-
somenes of his persone. He resolved to be the
more intimate with him, therby for the future to
obleidge him to his service. The father observe-
ing this, gave privat warneing and commands to
his sone not to engadge soe much as by promise
to the earle ; for the courses the nobilitie was then
takeing, and wherof Angus was the cheiffe, to
restraine the king in the choyce of his minions,
did not at all please this nobleman. The Earle
of Angus craved the young gentleman might re-
maine some tyme with him, where he should be

THE SOMERVILLS." 295

respected according to his qualitiej but Lord
John excused both himself and his sone in a
handsome way, by telling the earle that being
neer nighboures they might converse weekly,
and that if his lordship's occasiones requyred
either counsell or assistance, not only of his sone,
but all his oune followers should be ready to
serve him. This being in effect but a naked com-
plement, the earle resolves not to rest upon it,
but determines both to tye the father and sone
to his interest by affinitie. In order to this de-
signe, by some of his confidents, he made tryall
what fortune John might expect from his father
as being the eldest sone of a second marriage ;
and they informed, that William Barrone of
Carnwath, his eldest brother, was only infeft in
the barronie of Lintoune : three parts of the bar-
ronie of Carnwath, and in the lands of Mid-Lou-
thian ; the wholl barronie of Cambusnethen ; a
fourtieth pund-land of the barronie of Carnwath ;
the fourth part of the barronie of Stenhouse ; a
ten merk land within the barronie of Burthen, in
the shirrefdome of Peebles, wer all yet at the
disposeing of the father. The Earle of Angus
being fully informed of the Lord Somervill's af-
faires, he caused propone marriage to the father
and sone, haveing at this tyme to his half sister

296 MEMORIE OF

a noble and vertuous lady, Elizabeth Carmichael,
daughter to a younger brother of the Captaine
of Craufuirds, who had marryed Elizabeth Sib-
bald, or Sibbard, daughter to Sibbald of Balgo-
nie, sometyme Thesaurer of Scotland, descend-
ed of the ancient Earles of Northumberland.
This lady was the relict of George the first Earle
of Angus, eftir whose death she marryed a
younger brother of the Captaine of Craufuirds,
and procured from her sone, as is supposed, the
lands of Ballmoodie in Ffyffe. This was the ex-
traction of the young lady, and his oune half
sister, which Archibald Earle of Angus, com-
monly called Bell-the-Catt, ' proposed in mar-
riage to the Lord Somervill and his sone, which,
albeit it was kindely intertained, yet it took noe
effect untill eftir the death of King James the
Third at the battle of Saugheburne, whereat this
young gentleman is made prisoner, and had both

1 He obtained this nickname from his memorable answer to
an apologue related by the Lord Gray to the assembled nobles
at Lauder, while they were deliberating upon the mode of se-
parating the king from his favourites. The fable was of the rats,
who had resolved to tie a bell about the cat's neck, that they
might be aware of all her motions, which passed for good coun-
sel until it was found that none of the rats durst adventure his
person in fastening it on their enemy. " I will bell the cat,"
was the earl's answer ; and hence his well-known soubriquet.

THE SOMERVILLS. c197

his life preserved and his libertie by the Earle of
Angus his procurement : whempon, the succeed-
ing year 1489, the conditione of the marriage 14S9.
was concluded upon, and the same solemnized
att Edinburgh the third of Jully, 1489, the old
Countes of Angus resideing there for the tyme.
In September following, his father being yet
alyve, he bringes home his young lady to Cow-
thally, where the infare* was honoured with noe
meaner guest then the king's majestie James the
Fourth, being then in the second year of his
reigne, and in the eighteinth year of his age.

The king, neer to Inglestoune Bridges, had
been met with by Sir John of Quathquan, with
some fyftieth gentlemen of his oune name and
his father's vassalles, who waited upon his ma-
jestie unto Cowthally house. John Lord Somer-
vill, by reasone of his age, was not able to meet
the king at any distance. However, being sup-
ported by William Somervill, younger of Plaine,
and William Cleilland of that ilk, both his ne-
phewes, he receaved the king at the west end of
the calsay that leades from Carnwath toune to
Cowthally house, where his majestie was pleased

1 The entertainment made for the reception of a bride in
the bridegroom's house.

10

^98 MEM0R1E OF

to light from his horse, as did his wholl retinue,
and walked upon foot from thence to Cowthally,
being neer a quarter of a myle of excellent way.
At the outter gate Dame Marie Baillzie, then
Lady Somervill, being at this tyme not above
the fourtieth and sexth year of her age, with her
daughter-in-law Elizabeth Carmichaell, Sir John
of Quathquan's lady, the Lady Aplegirth, the
Lady Cleghorne, the Lady Carmichaell, and the
Captaine of CraufuirdV lady, with a great many
others, that both by affinitie and consanguinitie
wer related to the house of Cowthally, with
severall other ladyes, wer ther present to well-
come his majestie to the infare, and make the
intertainement more splendid. What ther fare
was needs not to be discoursed upon ; it is enough
to know it was in Cowthally house, where three
of his majestie's predecessores had been inter-
tained before, and his successor King James the
Fyfth often. How long his majestie continued
in Cowthally I cannot be positive, but by the
chamberlane's and steward's accompts, I find

1 Crawford-Castle, situated in Crawford-moor, in the upper
ward of Clydesdale, was at this time a royal fortress. The keep-
ers, or governors, of such royal castles were called Captains in
the language of the times.

THE SOMERVILLS. 2^9

ther was noe fewer beastes killed then fyftieth
kyne, two hundered sheep, fourtieth bolles of
malt, and of meall sexteinth, of butter twentieth
stone, spent at this infare, besyde fishes, tame
and wilde foull in such abundance, that both the
king and the nobilitie declared they had not
seen the lyke in any house within the kingdome ;
and yett this intertainment was short by neer a
third as to that the first Hugh Lord Somervill
gave to King James the Fyfth, at the marriage
of his eldest daughter Lady Cookpoolles.'

This feast being over, the king, with his traine,
makes for Stirling, and was waitted upon by the
principall of the nobilitie, who wer now at con-
cord, all ther quarrelles sometymes before this
being setled by the providence of this young
prince, who was of a calmer and mylder dis-
position then the late king his father, whose
untractablenes was the great
if not the only cause of his ruine, as is supposed.
His majestie was waitted upon by James Lord
Hamilton, and the gentlemen of both the wairdes

1 From the rude hospitality of Cowthally-Castle, there arose
a pun on the name, which is still current among the common
people, as expressing the traditional remembrance of the good
cheer it once afforded. — Cowthallv, quasi Cow-daily, because
a cow was killed every day of the week.

500 MEMORIE OF

of Clidsedale to Stirling, where, haveing remain-
ed some few dayes, the Lord Hamilton and his
brother-in-law the lord chamberlane took ther
leave of his majestie, and returned to Hamilton,
bringing with them Sir John Somervill of Quath-
quan, who had gained soe much upon the affec-
tione of his young master the king, as made these
two noblemen bear a singular respect to this gen-
tleman, which both of them gave promise of in
granting of a band of protectione to him dure-
ing his abode att Hamilton : and because I have
allready given yow the forme of a band of man-
drey in the memorie of John Lord Somervill,
the father of this gentleman, I thinke it not
amysse in this place to give yow that of a band
of protectione, these two formes of bands as to
the tenores differing. The band followes : —

" Be it kend till all men be thir present let-
ters, me, James Lord of Hamilton, and Alexan-
der Home, Great Chamberlane of Scotland, to
have receaved and taken, and be the tenor of
thir present letters, receaves and takes our weill
beloved cousine and familiar servant, John So-
mervill of Quathquan, sone to John Lord of So-
mervill, for his true service till us, done and to
be done to our simple mantenance and defence,
and obleidges us both conjunctlie and severallie

THE SOMERVILLS. 301

therto, be the faith of our bodies that wee shall
defend him in all his actiones, causes, and quar-
relles, leifefull and lawfull, for all the dayes of
his life, without fraud or guyle, and specially in
brooking and joying of the lands quhilke his fa-
ther lies given him in heretage, and contrary to
all that live and may live, exceptand our al-
leadgeance to our soveraigne lord the king allen-
nerly.' In witnes of the quhilke thing, and be-
cause wee the said James Lord Hamilton lies
nae seall present of our oune, wee have affixt in-
stantly the seall of our cousine James Hamilton
of to thir presents, att Hamil-

ton, the thretteinth day of September, the year
of God 14S9, before thir witnesses, John Nisbett
of Dallzell, William Hamilton of Calder, David
Hamilton, Parsone of Carstaires, Robert Hamil-
ton, Parsone of Arskirkpatrick of Hamilton,
and Rodger Cleilland, with others ; and wee the
said Alexander Home, for wee have sett to our
seall to thir presents, with the subscriptione of
both our hands, the forsaid day and place, before
the forsaid witnesses." This is that band of pro-

1 The Knight of Quathquan having obtained such a large
portion of the family estate to the prejudice of his elder bro-
thers of the first marriage, probably sought the protection of
these powerful barons to maintain him in possession of it.

302 MEMORIE OF

tectione granted by these noblemen to Sir John
of Quathquan, wherunto both ther sealles are
affixed, and ther superscriptiones both unlegible,
the character being without all forme for any
man to know the name or sirname of these no-
blemen designed in the band of protectione.

Sir John of Quathquan haveing thus secured
himself by his marriage and protectione, his fa-
1*91. ther the Lord Somervill being dead in anno 1491,
he transports himself and his familie to Cambus-
nethen, the barronie wherin he was infeft upon
his marriage, the house of Cambusnethan at that
tyme being only a large squair tower, four sto-
rie high, called the Baird's Tower, which name
was still retained untill the year 1661, that the
same was demolished by Sir John Harper, pre-
sent possessor of that barronie, who, modelling
the house eftir a new forme, razed to the foun-
datione the greatest part of the old building.
However, to this tower of the Baird's, Sir John
of Quathquan built a great house, ane hundered
foot and upward of lenth, and threttieth of
breadth within the walles, all excellent aisler
worke both within and without, standing upon
fyve spatious vaults, being only three storie high,
with a large turnepyke betwext the old tower
and the bodie of this house, which serves both.

THE SOMERVILLS. 303

I have often admired soe fair a frontispiece and
excellent workemanship of soe large bulke, that
promises soe much, to have not above fyve roomes
besyde the vaults, and these nothing to com-
mend them but ther largenes. This I suppose is
to be imputed unto these tymes, wherin, indeed,
they built weill, but contryved ill, as may be
seen in all the ancient houses of Scotland : ne-
ther are the workemen altogither to be con-
demned in this, seing the noblemen and gentle-
men built more for their safetie then convenien-
cie in that age.1

Archibald Earle of Angus being now made
chancellor in anno 1493, Sir John of Quathquan 1493.
goes to court, it being the fyfth year of King
James the Fourth's reigne, where he continued
neer four years, dureing which tyme he was
knighted and gratified by the king with severall
benefices, particularly with that gift of nonentrie
and recognitione of the lands of Gillmertoune,
allready mentioned in his nephewe's meraorie.

1 The old Scottish castles were ill provided with lodging
apartments. The numerous retainers were indeed feasted in
the hall, but retired at night to the village or hamlet which ad-
joined to the castle, unless when they remained to garrison it,
upon which occasions their accommodations were probably
very indifferent.

j04 memorie of

And now that posterity might not blame him,
being soe great att court, that he did all for him-
self and nothing for his pupill, in anno 1500,
George Gordoune Earle of Huntley being chan-
cellor, he obtaines from the king, in favours of
his pupill, a charter of new infeftments for hold-
ing of the barronies of Carnwath and Lintoune
blenche, which formerly held black waird of the
croune. This was the only benerite that his pu-
pill, Lord John, reaped by his tutorie, or that
which the house of Cowthally had reasone to
thanke him for eftirward ; but whether or not
the barronie of Lintoune in Roxburgh shire was
sold about this tyme, is that which I cannot re-
solve ; but this I know for a certane, that the
Kerrs of Lintoune, possessores of this barronie
at this present, ther originall right is from Lord
John Somervill, and ther lies not been ane of
that name since Sir John of Quathquan his tu-
torie. But passing that, I returne to Sir John of
Quathquan, who, haveing raised his house by the
king's favour, his father's bountie, and his oune
marriage, continued the same by sure and firme
freindship with all his nighboures, soe he re-
solved to establish his familie for the future by
as honourable ane allya as was within the na-
tione.

THE SOMERVILLS. 305

The Lord Mugdock, the Earle of Montroses
eldest sone, being much given to the sport of
halking and hunting wanted

the company of non soe much as young Cam-
busnethen,1 a briske young man much about his
oune age, and excessive in these sports wherto
the Lord Mugdock was inclyned. This gentle-
man, frequently at his halking or hunting, used
to wear at his syde a letherne bag, covered with
scarlet satine, for holding of his halkes meat,
which gave the first ryse and occasione to that
nickname wherby he was called, Sir John xvith
the read bag, and continues soe to be designed
by all that speakes of him untill this day. The
frequent meetings the Lord Grahame and young
Cambusnethen had togither, upon the account
of ther sport, occasioned ther often stay at others
houses, where young Montrose first saw Mary
Somervill, eldest daughter to Sir John of Quath-
quan, who intertained this young nobleman with
that respect due to his qualitie, and favour an-
swearable to the dear freindship that was be-

1 That is, in ancient Scottish phraseology, the son and heir
of the existing proprietor, who, if his father lived to the age of
old Parr or Jenkins, and he himself to the verge of ordinary
human existence, was always designated the Young Laird.

U

306 MEMORIE OF

twext him and her brother, whom she loved for
his many vertues and kyndenes he had to see
her honourably matched. The Lord Grahame,
upon the first sight of this lady, had a lykeing
for her ; but haveing conversed a litle, he found
by her discourse the inward qualificationes of
her mynde was answearable to the outward per-
fectiones of her bodie, which wer excellent every
way ; and it wer folly for me to praise this lady,
remembering of what familie she was, which,
for four succeeding generationes, brought furth
daughters that was second to non in the king-
dome for vertue, beutie, and breading, such as
that age allowed. Nor was ther any (albeit of
greater qualitie) more honourably marryed then
they wer, soe that at this day the most eminent
families in Scotland lies, by affinitie or consan-
guinitie, a relatione to the house of Cambusne-
then.1 Dureing the tyme of the Lord Grahames

1 Our genealogists agree that William, second Earle of
Montrose, married Janet Keith, daughter of William Earl
Mareshal ; but, as is afterward mentioned, Sir John Somer-
ville of Quathquan certainly married Margaret, sister of the Earl
of Montrose : what authority the author had for making out a
cross alliance does not appear. Perhaps Mary Somerville had
died without issue, a circumstance which often induces genea-
ogists to pass over an unfruitful spouse, as unworthy of a place
in the pedigrees they compile.

THE S0MERV1LLS. 307

courting of this lady, Read Bag, for soe I must
still designe young Cambusnethen, although his
true name was John, falles in love with a second
daughter of the Earle of Montroses, named Mar-
garet, whom eftirwards he marryed.1 Haveing
the favour of the young lady, the assistance of
the brother, the consent of the old earle was
soon obtained, ther being noe long demurre. A
double marriage is agreed upon betwext the
earle and Sir John of Quathquan. The contracts
are dated att Glasgow, the tenth of Jully, 1510, 1510.
and both the marriages followes in September
thereftir.

Sir John of Quathquans tutorie and curatorie
four years before this tyme expyreing, he begane
to observe the eminent vertue that appeared in
the tender years of his nephew Hugh, only bro-
ther to Lord John, who now being about the age
of twentieth and one, compleanes to his rela-
tiones, that both his brother and himself, with
ther estate, had been too long under the man-
nadgement of ther uncle, litle to ther advantage,
and lesse to ther credit, either of which his eldest
brother was incapable to discerne, know, or re-

« She had been previously married to William, Master of
Lennox.

308 MEMORIE OF

meed ; but for himself, he would continue noe
longer under that subjectione, nor yet suffer his
brother to be abused, nor his fortune ruined, as,
in all likelyhood it could not otherwayes be, if his
uncle had the mannadgement therof, as should
be found by what Sir John had allready done in
the tyme of his tutory and curatory to ther pre-
judice. Sir John of Quathquan being advertised
of this, makes it his bussines to place such about
the Lord Somervill as should give him tymeous
advertisement of all transactiones, or privat wryt-
tings that might passe betwext the brethren, in-
trusting these confidents of his likewayes with
the intromissione with the rents, which they
compted for still with him, albeit eftir the year
1506, the discharges was still granted by John
Lord Somervill to the tennents ; and thus for
four years he continued ; but finding this pro-
cedor of his in prejudice of Hugh, who was to
succeed to the estate, to be ill taken by most of
the freinds of the house of Cowthally, and par-
ticularly by Patrick Earle of Bothwell, who was
then beginning to be in great favour with King
James the Fourth, he resolves to give over all
direct medleing with the Lord Somervills estate ;
but that he himself, nor his successores, might
not be called in questione for his intromissione,

THE SOMERVILLS. 309

he bringes Lord John to Edinburgh, and pro-
cures that ample declaration e and discharge all-
ready mentioned in Lord John's memorie ; it is
dated the eleventh of August, 1510 ; eftir which
Cambusnethen concerned himself not in the
Lord Somervilles affaires. He outlived this tyme
but three years, before King James the Fourth,
haveing, in anno 1513, resolved to make warre 1513.
upon England, by the instigatione of the French
ambassador, and Bernard Stewart, that famous
warriour under Charles the Eight of France ; but
that which hightened and exasperated the brother
kings was the death of Robert Ker, Warden of
the Borders by three Englishes, Heirone, Starhed,
and Lillburne ; as also the killing of Andrew Bar-
thon, who, upon ane old quarrell begune in the
reigne of King James the Third, had purchased
letters of reprysall against the Portingailles, by
Thomas Haward, the English admirall is slain.
These, with severall other pettie injuries, has-
tenes King James the Fourth to his ruine, not-
withstanding the interest of state, the teares of
his queen, the perswasione of his nobilitie, and
the sad predictiones that foirtold his fatalitie,
which is fully related by Hathorneden. With
the conjectures about this king's death, whether
killed in the battell or eftir murdered by the

310 MEMORIE OP

Homes, it makes to my purpose to show that as
Sir John of Quathquan lived in the favour of his
royal master, soe he dyed with him, being in
the retinue of George, Master of Angus, his
ladyes cousine-germane, and Sir William Doug-
las of Glenbervie, all of whom, with two hun-
dered gentlemen of ther relationes, wer killed at
this unfortunate engadgement of Floudon, anno
1513. And thus lived and dyed Sir John of
Quathquan, with whom I should never have
ended, if all his particular actiones and transac-
tiones with persones of all rankes and qualities
wer here insert. Let it suffice, that before his
death, he had, and brought togither, the greatest
number of wry ttes that was in any private man's
hands not relateing to the publict in Scotland ;
and, to be ingenuous, what I have written of the
memory of the house of Cowthally and ther ca-
dits, are from his charter chist ; and I am apt to
believe the present Earles of Carnwath lies few
or noe evidences beyond the year 1500, at which
tyme the holding was changed in favours of the
last Lord John. What children Sir John had
besyde his eldest sone, who succeeded to him,
and William of Trabra and two daughters, the
Lady Montrose, and Elizabeth, marryed upon
the Laird of Diell, I know not. As for himself,

THE SOMERVILLS. 311

he was a gentleman borne to actione, of a noble
and generous spirit. He understood how to en-
gadge by his assiduitie and services the greatest
families of Scotland to his freindship, knowing
that albeit he was weill enough staited in his
prince's favour, yet it was hard to stand against
envy, especially of the great ones. Dureing the
fyftieth and four years that he lived, he gave
evidence by his actings that he came short of
non of his predecessores for worth and vertue.
Doubtles if it had been his fortune to have been
the eldest brother, or if his two nephewes had
dyed, whereby he might have succeeded and
been Lord Somervill, he had raised the house of
Cowthally to a higher degree of honour and
greater estate then any of the name that was
before him in Scotland. His lady outlived him
but some few years, and lyes buryed in the quier
of the old church of Cambusnethen, now with-
out a roof, ther being a new one erected and
built of the same name at a place called the

It was impossible for me to wryte lesse of this
noble gentleman, seing his merites craves noe
lesse, haveing left a charter chist that many
sheets of paper would have but served to inven-

312 MEMORIE OF

tar the wryttes therin, 148 years eftir his death.
It came to my hands when it had remained neer
seven years in the Laird of Cleilland's house,
and been pillaged by every man, Sir James So-
mervill, the last laird of that familie, had sent to
it. I shall noe further of this worthie gentle-
man, but informe that he was the second cadite
in the qualitie of a barrone that went of the
house of Cowthally, the Laird of Plaine being
the first, but much short of Cambusnethen both
for honour and estate j nether was ther any of
the name of Somervill in Scotland that attained
to the qualitie of barrones but these two that I
can find, thoughe there was many landed gen-
tlemen, both before and eftir this tyme, cadites
of the house of Cowthally, off whom I shall take
notice, and give ane account as I proceed in the
memories of the four succeeding lords ; but se-
ing Lord John stands yet in my way, who out-
lived his uncle eleven years, in all which tyme
he acted nothing by himself, thairfore I shall
referre what was done in his affaires dureing
that space to the memory of his brother Hugh.
However, I think it not impertinent, before I
begin that relatione, to acquaint you that Lord
John dyed in Cowthally castle, about the age of

THE SOMERVILLS. 313

threttieth and nyne, in the year 1524,1 and lyes
buryed in the yle of Carnwath church, being as
incapable of marriage as he was of doeing any
bussines. Thairfore both his honour and estate
fell to his only brother, Hugh, off whom I am
next to treat.

Off Hugh, Lord Somervill, the twelth Barrone of
Lintoune, the nynth of Carnwath, the sexth
"Lord Somervill, and seocteinthfrom Sir Gualter
de Somervill; and of Read-bag, the second Bar-
rone of Cambusnethen.

Hugh Lord Somervill, sone to William Bar-
rone of Carnwath, and only brother to Lord
John, succeeded to him in all his fortune and
honours in the year 1524, and of his oune age 1524.
threttieth and four or therby, haveing now been
the second tyme marryed, a gentleman much
borne doune in his youth j for noe sooner began
he to appear to the world eftir his minoritie was

x There seems to be some mistake in this date. From pro-
ceedings in parliament, to be hereafter noticed, it would ap-
pear that Hugh Lord Somerville possessed the honours and
estate in 1523.

314 JIEMOIUE OF

past, but his uncle, Sir John of Quathquan, who
had been sole tutor and curator, and absolute
intrornitter with his oune and his brother's es-
tate, took speciall and particular notice of him,
fearing if eftirwards this gentleman should suc-
ceed to the estate of Cowthally, he might call
him to ane accompt, both for his intromissiones
and actings ; but that which he doubted most,
his nephew being of a pregnant spirit, that he
should make some interest at court, taking ex-
ample from himself, should follow that methode
which had brought him to soe much honour and
greatnes : And indeed in this he was not mis-
taken, for his minoritie being out in the year
1506, he begane not only to consider his oune
affaires, but to concerne himself with these of
his brothers, Lord John, which made his uncle,
Sir John of Quathquan, to crosse him all he
could, both at court and any interest he could
make with his brother or other freinds related to
the house of Cowthally ; notwithstanding wher-
of he went foirward vigorously, and resolved not
to suffer his brother's simplicity, nor yet his un-
cle's great interest and freindship att court, to
destroy that estate. He begane now to look up-
on it as his oune. In order to this he labours
first to secure these of his relationes to his inte-

THE SOMERVILLS. 315

rest, which he did effectuat ; but at lenth found
that it did but litle advance his affaires, or put
any restraint upon his brother, who wes preyed
upon by every bodie that had any medleing in
his affaires. Thairfore as his uncle, by macheing
with the Douglasses, had engadged one of the
noblest families and greatest in name of any in
Scotland to his oune interest, soe he resolved to
be nothing short of him in allyance. The house
of Hamilton, by marriage to King James the
Third's sister, who had. been the wife of Thomas
Lord Boyde, from whom she was divorced and
marryed upon James, the first Lord Hamilton,
by reasone wherof this familie was now at a great
hight both for honour and estate, and the name
universally the most thriveing of any in Scot-
land ; and amongst them all non more about this
tyme then a young gentleman, James Hamilton,
naturall sone to James, the second Lord Hamil-
ton, and first Earle of Arrane, begotten on a
daughter of the Lord Boydes. This gentleman,
by his father's donatione, had the lands of Fin-
hard given him in patrimony, by which he was
ever designed, although eftirwards, by his inte-
rest att court and great trust and favour he had
of King James the Fyfth, being his thesaurer, he
purchased in a short tyme a vast fortune in lands.

316 MEMOUIE OF

equal to, if not much beyond the house of Ha-
milton itself, as was supposed ; and for strong
and stately houses, being the king's master of
worke, and the principall architector of that
age, ther was non did equall him for the royall
houses, that was the palace of <Hollyrudehous,
Linlithgow, Falkland, and some part of the foir-
worke of the castle of Stirling. A great part of
these staitly buildings was either built or much
repaired by him, in which conditione they con-
tinued till our tyme, except Falkland and Holly-
rudehouse, that was brunt by the Englishes ;
the later being now rebuilt and made one of the
regularest palaces in Brittane.

It was with this gentleman Hugh Lord Somer-
vill begane to be intimate long before his great-
nes att court, or Lord Hughe's oune comeing to
the estate of Cowthally. That which moved him
heirunto was the eminent place this gentleman's
father, the Earle of Arrane, held with the king,
and the consideratione how steedable he might
be to him. He understood too weill by what he
mett with from his uncle Sir John, who albeit
directly by himself he^appeared not to medle
much with his nephew Lord John's affaires eftir
the year 1506, yet had he still with him such of
his oune creatures as absolutely governed him,
and made him doe what he advysed, which I

THE SOMERVILLS. 317

could instance in many particulars, but being of
pettie concerne I passe them over : Sir John's
maine bussines was to have an eye upon this
young gentleman att court, wherof he was sure
enough soe long as King James the Fourth li-
ved ; albeit Lord Hugh, in the qualitie and con-
ditione he was in then, was not wanting to make
severall addresses to his majestie, both by him'
self and the mediation e of some grandies for re-
dresse of these disorders that happened dayly by
his brother's mismannadgement, to the inevita-
ble mine of the familie and house of Cowthally,
if not prevented by some restrictione putt upon
his brother. He, thairfore, craved that warrand
might be granted by his majestie and counsell
to him, or such as they should be pleased to ap-
poynt, for the government and oversight of that
estate that it perished not ; but all this was to
noe purpose, for these that favoured Sir John of
Quathquan, alias Cambusnethen, perswaded the
king, then James the Fourth, ther was noe ha-
zard that ther would be any thing done amisse
in the Lord Somervilles affaires soe long as his
uncle lived. Hugh haveing mett with this of-
tener then once or twice, resolved to presse it
noe further, but attend a more favourable oppor-
tunitie. Next to James Stuart, Arch-Bishope of

318 MEMORIE OF

Saint Aildrewes, and Chancellor of Scotland, the
Earles of Erroll and Argyle, ther was non soe
great att court, nor more in favour with the king,
then Bothwell Hepburne, who, being cousine-
gerraane, once removed with the two brothers,
made severall journeyes to Cowthally to advyse
Lord John to take himself to ane honourable
mantenance, and allow his brother Hugh the
government of the estate, which he was not able
to mannadge of himself. But noe intreaty nor
perswasion could prevaill with him ; for to have
used reasones had been lost labour to one who
was not capable of reasone and extremely will-
full. The Earle of Bothwell, finding he could
not prevail!, told Sir John the uncle, in some
passione, who purposely had been sent for to
Cowthally, that he might continue his tutorie soe
long as his nephew lived, for certanely he stood
in need of one, and it was fitt he should be that
rather then any other, seing his only brother
Hugh was denyed all trust, he had the greatest
interest, and deserved it as weill as any other,
being most concerned. This tiyste being brock-
en up, Hugh accompanies the Earl of Bothwell
to Edinburgh, where it was resolved ther should
be a supplicatione drawen and given to the king
and counsell, which was all the judicatorie the

THE SOMERVILLS. 3 1 9

natione had at that tyme for civill actiones, both
for bringing Sir John of Quathquan to a compt
and reckoning for his twentieth years intromis-
siones ; and that some of the Lord Somerville's
neerest relationes might be appoynted to intro-
mett with the rentes, and oversee Lord John's
wholl affaires. This petitione was given in to
the counsell upon the twentieth and fourth of
Jully, 1510. What returne it had I find not, for
there is noe delyverance neither upon the back
therof, nor yet at the foot of the wrytting, which
makes me apt to beleive it is but a double which
I have seen, and that Hugh Somervill is sub-
scryveing the petitione. However, Sir John of
Quathquan was soe startled and affrighted with
this petitione, that upon the twentieth of Au-
gust thereftir he bringes in his nephew, Lord
John, being then in the twentieth and eight
year of his age, to Edinburgh, which was the
first and last tyme that ever he was there, and
caused him grant that discharge and declara-
tione wherin he approved and allowed all that
' his uncle had done dureing his long tutory.
Hugh being at Edinburgh with his step-grand-
mother, who was the second tyme a widow, by
the death of her second husband the Laird of
Lusse, was resolved to goe abroad, but could

320 MEMORIE OF

obtaine non of his freinds consent, particularly
his step-grandmother, who was very kynde to
him, even in oppositione to her oune sone, Sir
John of Quathquan, diswaded him from that re*
solutione ; yea, his uncle, as he thought, have-
ing secured himself in law, by that ample dis-
charge and declaratione allready mentioned in
Lord John's memory, wrote a very kynd letter
to him to forbear that resolutione of goeing
abroad ; and he promised to give up all the trust
he had from his brother, and put him in posses-
sione of the whole estate, allowing only ane ho-
nourable mantenance to Lord John Somervill,
conforme to his ranke and qualitie ; and in this
Sir John of Quathquan was as good as his word ;
for Upon the eleventh of October, 1510, a great
many of the name of Somervill mett att Cow-
thally, in order to the composeing of all differ-
ences betwext the uncle and the nephewes.
These that mett wer William Somervill of Plaine,
William Somervill of Cambo, David Somervill
of Batla, James Somervill designed of Maphett,
and John Somervill his sone. Most of these gen-
tlemen wer of the judgement that Lord John
should instantly make over his birth-right to his
brother Hugh, and put him in possessione of
the estate of Cowthally upon such termes as the

THE SOMERVILLS. 321

freinds there present should setle upon to both
ther credites and advantage. This proposall was
withstood by James Somervill of Maphett, and
his sone John, both mainly by young Cambus-
nethen Red Bag, who hoped to succeed his fa-
ther, Sir John of Quathquan, in the trust and
mannadgement of the estate of Cowthally, as he
did eftirwards, though the same continued but
a short space. This meeting, through disagree-
ment of freinds, succeeding noe better, Hugh
confirmes his former resolutione to make interest
att court by some honourable marriage. Anna
Hamilton, naturall daughter to James, the first
Earle of Arrane, and full sister to Sir James
Hamilton of Finhard, by being begotten upon
that same mother, the Lord Boyde's daughter.
This marriage was solemnized att the castle of
Hamilton, upon the twentieth day of December,
1510. The earle being then a widow, or at least
soe esteemed by his divorce from Elizabeth
Home, sister to Alexander Lord Home,1 Great

1 This divorce was of a very doubtful character, and long
after its validity was called in question by the lords of King
James's party, with a view of flinging the imputation of bastardy
on the Duke of Chatelherault.

322 MEMORIE OF

Chamberlane of Scotland. The seasing of Hugh
Lord Somervill is of a date posterior to this mar-
riage, and is at present in the hands of the now
Lord Duke of Hamilton.

Being now setled, he resolved to dwell at the
tower of Carnwath toune, where his father
William had lived, and wherin he dyed. In
order to this, the house being somewhat ruin-
ous, he caused repair the same ; and in May he
brought his lady from the castle of Hamilton to
Carnwath, being accompanyed with most of her
relationes, and the gentlemen of the nether
ward, in which infare he gave the first evidence
how great a housekeeper he would prove. Some
two years he lived quyetlie, without concerneing
himself much in his brother Lord John's bussi-
nes ; but the face of affaires being now changed
by the death of King James the Fourth, who was
killed at the battell of Floudoune, in anno 1513,
in which battell Sir John of Quathquan, his un-
cle, (one of the king's favourites,) also fell, with
his great patrone, his ladyes nephew, George
master of Angus, sone and heir appearand to
Archibald Earle of Angus, nick-named Bell-the-
Catt.

Eftir the death of Sir John of Quathquan, who

THE SOMERVILLS. 323

was killed att Floudoune, Hugh, his nephew,
begane to move in his affaires to purpose ; x and
in January, 1515, he raises ane breiff of idiotrie, 1515.
out of the king's chappell, against his brother,
Lord John, directed to the shirrefs of Lanerk, or
ther deputes. But on Tuesday, the twentieth
and fourth of January, Red Bag, now Cambus-
nethen, eftir his father's death begane to have a
great interest and medleing with Lord John's
affaires. Wherefore, soe soon as he had intelli-
gence that Hugh had purchased this breiff, he
comes to Edinburgh, and petitiones the coun-

* At first, however, without effect, since it appears that the
relict of Sir John of Quathquan retained the management of
Lord John, and excluded Hugh from his brother's presence,
and from the castle of Cowthally ; and that Hugh in vain at-
tempted to obtain the tutory of his brother by application to
the king and council. " Anno 1513, XXIII. Novembris,
Anent the summondis rasit at ye instance of Hew Somervell,
bruyer and apperand air to Johne Lord Somervell, apoun
Elizabeth Carmichell, ye spous of vmquhil Johne Somervel of
Camnethan, Knycht, that quhar ye said Lord Somervell is
nocht of perfyte wisdome and knawlaige to haue ye reule and
gouernance, and was debarrit yarfra be ye said vmquhil Sir
Johne, and now inlykwiss the said Elizabeth withhaldis ye said
Johne Lord Somervell in ye house of Cuthele, and will not de-
liuer him to ye said Hew, houbeit he has requirit hir yarto, as
at mar lenth is contenit in ye said summondis, baith ye saidis
partiis being personali present. The lordis of consell assolzeis
ye said Elizabeth fra the petition of ye said Hew, as it is li-
belled, &c. — Records, ut supra, p. 534.

324 MKMORIE OF

sell in behalf of his cousine Lord John, that both
the persones and place of the inqueist might be
changed, which he obtaines by this ther grant,
the tenor wherof folio wes :

" James, be the grace of God King of Scots,
to our lovites Duncan Riche, Gilbert Ruther-
fuird, James Bizett, John Adamsone, and John
Davidson, messingers ; William Somervill, James
Kelloch, John Somervill in Moffett, and John
Somervill in Greenfeild, our shirrefs in that part,
conjunctly and severally, specially cbnstitut greet-
ing. Forsuameikle as it is humblie meaned and
showen to us be our cousine John Lord Somer-
vill, that wher his brother, Hugh Somervill, hes
raised ane breif of idiotrie out of our chappell
upon our said cousine, direct to our shirrefs of
Lanerk and ther deputes, quhilke complaint is
to be suit in our tolbuith of Lanerk before our
said shirreffs of the samen, or ther deputes, on
Thursday, the twentieth and fourth day of Ja-
nuary instant, notwithstanding that the matter is
great, and that ther is but few freeholders within
our said shirrefdome that are of substance or un-
derstanding to passe upon the inqueist for serve-
ing of the said breirf, and our said cousine should
be judged be his.

" Our will is heirfore, and wee charge you

laiK SOMERVILLS. 32,5

straitly, and commands that incontinent ther our
letters seen, because our said cousine is ane lord
of parliament, and that sick breif of idiotry are
not usit, nor seusurt to be suit in the shirref
court, ye passe and summond and warne the
lords and barrones best and worthiest, and least
suspect of our said shirrefdome of Lanerk, and
of the four halfes thereabout, to compear before
our said shirref of Lanerk and his deputes to our
tolbuith att Edinburgh, the said day

to passe upon the inqueist for the
due serveing of the samen. With the qlk place
and tolbuith of Edinburgh wee dispence, be
thir our letters, and admittes the samen to be as
lauful as the said tolbuith of Lanerk for the
serveing of the said breiff; and that yee warne
our said sherrifs of Lanerk to compear the said
day and place, with his officiars and macers of
court, for the serveing of the said breif, where
part of the lords of our counsell may be present
to see that justice be administrat ; and that yee
warne the said Hugh of the said day and place,
soe that he may cause the saids lords, barrones,
and freeholders, to ane sufficient number, to be
summoned in due tyme. The quhilk to doe wee
committ to yow, conjunctly and severally, our
full power be thir our letters delyvering them be

32,6 MEMORIE OF

yow duely execute and indorsat again to the
bearer. Given under our signett at Edinburgh,
the eleventh day of January, and of our reigne
the first year.

" Ex deliberatione Dominorum consilij."

But notwithstanding of thir letters purchased
from the king's counsell, this actione lay dor-
ment for neer two years, as appeares by that
procuratory granted by Lord John in anno 1516,
in the moneth of March, to Cambusnethen, to
compear for him to gainesay and object against
the said breif of idiotry, or any other actione his
brother Hugh might have against him. This
procuratory, with the king's letters, I have here
insert, that the style in those tymes may be seen,
because they are not knowen to many, nor yet
to be found in every bodies hands. The procu-
ratory followes :

" Be it kend till all men be thir present letters,
wee, John Lord Somervill, till have made con-
stitut and ordainet, and, be the tenor of thir
present letters, makes, constitutes, and ordaines,
the right worshipfull men and my trustie freinds
John Somervill of Cambusnethen, Master Adam
Otterburne, Master Francis Bothwell, Master
Robert Galbraith, and John Nisbett, Barrone of
Dallzell, and ilk ane of them conjunctly and se-

THE SOMERVILLS. 327

verally my very laufull and undoubted procura-
tores, actores, factores, and speciall earand bear-
ers, giveand, grantand, and committand to my
foresaid procurators, and to ilk ane of them
conjunctly and severally, my very full, free, and
plaine power, expresse bidding, command, and
charge for me, in my name and upon my behalf,
till compear before ane honourable man, Patrick
Barrone of the Spittellfeild, or any other per-
sones, shirrefs of Lanerk in that part, be our
soveraigne lords commissione direct therupon in
the tolbuith of Edinburgh, the twentieth and
fourth day of the moneth of March instant, or
any whatsoever other day, tyme, or place ; and
there, for me and in my name, till object against
and gainsay ane breif of idiotry, purchased be
Hugh Somervill against me j and in the forsaid
cause, gif need be, bestow instruments, to make
exceptiones

and till answrear be all termes and proces
as law effeires ; and gif need be, till alleadge and
propone against the judges and ministers of the
said court, and the day and place protestation es
to make, instruments to raise, and all and sundry
other things to doe, exerce, and use, that to the
office of procuratory in sick caices is knoune to
appertaine, or that I myself might doe if I wer
5

328 MEMQRIE OF

present in propper persone, firme and stable,
haldand and for to hald all and whatsoever things
my saids procuratores, or any ane of them, con-
junctly and severally in the premisses, in my
name, right easily leades to be done,

of all and sundry my goods, moveable and
imoveable, present and for to come. In witnes
of the quhilk to thir present letters, I have fixt
my seall at Cowthally, twentieth and ane of the
moneth of March, the year of God 1516, be-
fore thir witnesses, William Boyd of Ladein-
hathe, William Somervill, David Somervill, Al-
lan Lockhart, Gilbert Boyd, and Sir Hugh Crau-
fuird, chaplane, with others." To this right of
procuratory the Lord Somervill affixes only his
seall, without subscryveing, which is three mul-
lets or starres, with sex corslets, all of them
somewhat differently placed upon the scheild be
what the successor of this lord had them, who
added a double crosse to the armes. What his
reasone hes been I understand not, unlesse that
haveing done it when he was second brother,
continued them soe when he came to be lord
himself.

The successe of this affair was at least answear-
able to Hugh's designe as to the maine, notwith-
standing of thes procuratory, and Cambusne-

THE SOMERVILLS. 329

then's endeavour to the prosecutione of the same,
by all the interest he could make with the Dou-
glasses power,1 who, in a maner, then governed
all by ther cheifes marrying of the queen ; for
albeit legally he gott not his brother by the se-
cond inqueist declared ane idiote, yet by an in-
terloquitor from king and counsel], he was im-
powered to intromett with the wholl rentes be-
longing to the lordship, the maines of Cowthally
and Lampts being appoynted for his brother's
mantenance, and the title and entrie of vassalles
was reserved to him dureing his life. Thomas
Somervill of Blackcastle,* and David Sornervill

1 At this time the country was torn to pieces by factions,
particularly those of the Douglasses and Hamiltons, headed by
their chiefs, Angus and Arran. The Knight of Cambusnethan
was connected by marriage with the first of these earls, as his
cousin, Hugh Somerville, was with the second ; and, besides
that Angus and Arran strenuously endeavoured each to place
his own ally as guardian of the imbecile Lord John, it seems
probable that the strong castle of Cowthally was an object of
desirable occupation to both parties. That Angus, by favour
of the Knight of Cambusnethan, occupied the castle occasion-
ally, is evident from a plan formed to besiege him in it, which
was proposed by Hamilton to Home, the Lord Chamberlain,
and rejected by him.; — Pinkerton's History, vol. IT. p. 12G,
note.

* This person, an adherent doubtless and relation of the So-
merville family, figures in a law-suit betwixt them and Sir John
Ross of Montgrenan.— " Anno 1491, xviii Maii. In ye acteoun

330 MEMORIE OF

in Greenfeild, wer ordained to place trustie ser-
vants with Lord John, both for the care of his

and causs persewit be Johne ye Ross of Montgrenain, Knycht,
aganis William Someruale, sone and apperand are to John Lord
Someruale, William Inglis, duelland in ye Est Schile, and Johne
Someruale in the Blak Castell ; yat is to say, ye said Williame
Someruale for ye wrangwis interruptioun and perturbatioun
maid to ye said Johne ye Ross, of ye sesing and possessioun
geven be ye said William Someruale, his propir landis, to ye
said Johne ye Ross, of ye landis of ye Erdhous and Huntschele-
wod, pretending him to interrup and brek ye said sesing and
possessioun efter ye gevin of ye sammyn, and to here ye said
pretendit interruptioun decernit of nane avale, force, nor effect,
and to give ane testimoniale vndir his sell of ye said sesing yat
he gef, and als apoun ye occupatioun and manurin of ye mid-
diil thrid parte of ye said landis of ye Erdhouse, and of yethrid
parte of ye landis of Huntschelewod, pertening to ye said Johne
ye Ross, but tak or assedatioun of him and ye saidis William
Inglis and Johne Someruale to here ye takis yat yai haid of ye
saidis landis decernit and declairit of nane avale, becaus yai haf
put saidis landis in )'e handis of ye said William Someruale, and
maid him occupiare of ye saidis landis, but licence or autorite
of ye said Johne, quhilk William is owre lord of ye saidis landis,
and dois preiudice to ye said Johne ye Ross be ye said inter-
ruptioun, and becauss he is of gretare conditioun and estate na
yaim self, or yat yai said mak subtennentis to yaim, and for ye
said causs to here ye saidis takis forfalt and declarit of nane
avale, and of ye wrangwis withhaldin of ye Martimes male last
bipast of ye saidis landis extending to twa U. pertening to him
as assignay to Patrick Hume of Fastcastell, and for costis and
scaithis sustenit be ye said John yarthrow, all ye saidis partiis
beand present be yarself and yar procuratouris yar ressonis
and allegatiounis and vnderstandin, ye lordis auditouris decrettis
and deliueris yat ye said William has done vvrang in ye makin
of ye said interruptioun and perturbatioun to ye said Johne in
ye geving of ye said sesing and possessioun, and pretending

THE SOMERVILLS. 331

persone, and the bringing in the rentes of these
lands for the use of his house, which he still
keept att Cowthally soe long as he lived. This
bussines being setled to the content of all the
name, Cambusnethen only excepted, who storm-
ed extremely that he was disappoynted of his

him to brek the said lesing effer ye gevin of ye saramyn, and
yarfore decernis and declaris ye said pretendit interruptioun
and brekin of ye said sesing of nain avale, force, nor effect in
tyme to cum. And also decretis and deliueris yat ye said Wil-
liam sail gif ane testimoniale vndir his sele to ye said Johne ye
Ross of ye gevin of ye said sesing, and yat he does wrang in
ye occupatioun of ye said thrid parte of ye landis of Hunt-
schelewod, and yarfore ordinis him to decist and cess yarfra in
tyme to cum, becauss ye occupatioun wes grantit be ye pro-
curatouris of ye said William, and na richt schewin for him
why he occupiit ye sammyn bot allegiit to be assignay to Wil-
liam Someruale, howbeit he mycht nocht be assignay, becauss
he wes owr lord of ye sammyn na schew na assignatioun yarof,
and alss decrettis and deliueris that ye said William dois wrang
in ye occupatioun and manurin of ye said middilthrid of ye
Erdhouss, and yarfore ordinis him to decist and cess yarfra in
tyme to cum to be broikit be ye said Johun, eftir ye forme of
his infeftment gevin to him yarapoun, and alls yat ye said Wil-
liam sail content and pay to ye said Johne ye Ross, as assig-
nay forsaid ye said xl s of ye said Martimes male, and ordinis
our souerane lordis letrez be direct hereupoun for ye puttin of
yis decrett to executioun, and because ye said William Inglis
grantit ye occupatioun of a part of ye saidis landis. The lordis
yarfore, of ye consent of ye said Johne, ordinis him to remaine
with ye tak of ye saidis landis, at ye will of ye said Johne, he
payand malez and dewities to him yarfore as efferis." — Records
of Parliament, p. 413.

33% MEMORIE OF

expectatione in haveing the same interest that
his father for a long tyme had in the estate of
Cowthally.

The first thing Hugh did, haveing his resi-
dence att Carnwath, and the estate of Somervill
secured to him, was to build the cross, which yet
remaines there, and beares his oune and ladyes
name upon it, with the armes ; the year of God
it hes not ; however, I find it built in the moneth
of Jully, 1516. Nether was ther any crosse att
Carnwath before that tyme, nor within the bar-
ronie, save that of Newbigging, built by Sir
Gualter of Newbigging, or some of his predeces-
sores j for that crosse to know it by hes nether
letters nor other armes, save a double cross, re-
sembleing that which the crosse dollers beares at
present. This gentleman, getting possessione of
his brother's estate, and the mannadgement of
the wholl affaires relateing therto, was not soe
pleasing to him as in any measure to compense
a sad dispensatione the Lord was pleased to tryst
him with, about the later end of this year, 15 1(5 ;
for his lady, Anna Hamilton, and two of her
sones dying of the small-pox within lesse then a
quarter of a year of each other. Any may judge
this was a heart-afflicting greiff, to lose soe ex-
cellent a young lady and her children, who, be-

THE SOMERVILLS. 333

syde the tender affectione of a husband and pa-
rent, had great hopes, by ther interest, to secure
what he was allready in possessione off, and in
expectatione to raise his fortune to ane higher
pitch, which now he lookes upon allmost as des-
perate, in regaird Red-Bag's interest with the
Douglasses, being the sister sone of Bell-the-Catt,
and cousine-germane to the present Earle of An-
gus and Douglasse, that had marryed the queen's
daughter of Scotland, and sister to Hendrie the
Eight of England. This marriage, ther great
power, and the king's minoritie, made the Dou-
glasses inhance the wholl government of Scot-
land in ther hands, soe that this gentleman look-
ed upon his interest with the Hamiltones as lost,
because of his lady and children's death, they
being soe neer related to the Hamiltones, who
wer of greatest power to crush or crub the in-
solencies of the Douglasses, being neerest to the
croune if the king should have dyed. But alace !
his feares was soon removed, in regard that in a
very short tyme tber was noe good understand-
ing betwext the queen and her husband, the
Earle of Douglas, which at lenth occasioned her
divorce from the earle. John Duke of Albanie
returneing from France, and takeing on him the

334 MEM0R1E OF

regency and governement of the realme, with
the tutorie of the young king, sent the Dou-
glasses out of the country, which, from the year
1513 to the year 1522, had still been in broyles,
by the contentiones of the nobilitie, wherin every
man syded as his afFectione and interest led him.
Cambusnethen, ouneing that of the Douglasses,
and his cousine Hugh that of the Hamiltones,
which, as this did incresse ther animosities, soe
it altered ther fortunes twice in a few years. Be-
fore this came to passe, in anno 1517, Hugh
marryes for his second, Lady Janet Maitlane,
daughter to William Maitlane of Leidingtoune,
killed att the battell of Floudoune, and sister to
Sir Richard Maitlane, being one of these two
famous brothers, William and John, the first se-
cretary to Queen Mary, and the other chancellor
to King James the Sexth, of whose publict act-
ings I shall not presume to wryte any thing, se-
ing they make a great part of the historie of these
tymes wherin they lived, as any may see that will
be pleased to peruse Spotswood for the church,
and Buchannan for the state. This marriage
being in Jully, it was the later end of September
before he brought home his young lady to Carn-
wath, who, haveing travelled noe further before

THE SOMERVILLS. 335

that tyme then betwext Leidingtoune ' and Edin-
burgh, beleived it to be a greater journey for her
then some of our ladyes now thinkes it to goe to
London. But that which she admired most in
her journey was the hilles upon her right hand,
haveing gone the Bridge-house way, and the
barenesse of the tower of Carnwath, haveing noe
planting, yea, not soe much then as a kaill-yaird.
There being nothing under her view from the
house north-west but a great mosse, she fancied
the order and progresse of the Israelites journey
was inverted by hers, haveing left the land of
Canaan to fix her habitatione in a wildernesse.
But these thoughts did not long perplex her ;
for the table being covered and supper served
up, she quyetlie enquyred at her husband, if
ther was any great market toune neer by that
he had all that provisione from. He told her,
with a smyle, yes, he had two or three that was
obleidged to yeald him more nor what she ob-
served upon his table every day, and that upon
noe other account but because it was his pleasure

* Ledingtoune is situated in a rich part of East Lothian ;
Carnwath in a very upland and moorish part of the district of
Lanerkshire.

336 MEMORIE OF

to recreate himself some tyme in them. This she
could not understand ; but with a kisse he as-
sured her, that within three or four dayes she
should be ane eye witnes to the truth of what he
told her. The weather being seasonable, he was
as good as his word ; for many gentlemen being
invited to Carnwath, in order to the infare, and,
amongst others, his cousine-german, Cambusne-
then, albeit ther was noe good understanding
betwixt them, with his lady, the Earle of Mon-
troses daughter, the Laird of Dalzell, the Bar-
rone of Diell, then Nisbett to his sirname, the
Laird of Cleilland, with severall other gentlemen
of the nether ward, all of whom wellcomed this
young lady to the countrey ; and this was not
the least part of her wonder to see soe many
ladyes and gentlemen in so short a tyme con-
veinne, and yet, soe fair as her sight could reach,
she could discerne nothing but moores, and some
few cottages scattered here and there : But this
noble company, and the great fare, made her
leave these thoughts, and intertaine her guests
with a grace that was naturall to her, especially
at meat, which made King James the Fyfth, who
was often her guest, say, he nether had such well-
come nor soe great fare in any of his subjects
houses as he receaved at Cowthally from his May

THE SOMERVILLS. 33J

Maitlane, a nickname his majestie was pleased
to give her, which she retained untill her death,
the import of the word being in effect Mother
Maitlane,1 which she deserved very weill, have-
ing a numerous familie to oversee and provyde
for, besyde her dayly charitie to these that need-
ed, which she extended so largely and soe uni-
versally, that the rememberance therof remained
more then ane hundered years eftir her death.
But I passe this, seing frequent occasiones eftir-
ward will offer to mentione her name in the fre-
quent intertainements her royall master was
pleased to receave at her house. Dinner being
ended, she witnessed some desyre to goe abroad,
wherin the Lady Cambusnethen did second her,
and this did suit weill with all ther inclinationes,
especially her husband's, who had ordered sup-
per and most of ther lodgeings att Cowthally, his
brother Lord John's familie makeing use only
but of one of the towres therof. Ther progresse
was first to the river syde, alongst the Lamepets
haughes ; a fairer piece of ground, nor more pro-

1 This is rather inaccurate, for the phrase is usually, though
not exclusively, applied to maidens. But it is probably derived
from the French mie for amie, or mistress. See Jamieson's
Scottish Dictionary, ad verbum,

Y

338 MEMORIE OF

fitable in ane out countrey is not within the na-
tione, where they beheld two hundered cowes,
young and old, grassing along the bankes of the
river of Clyde, besydes large meadowes reserved
for ther winter

ground betwext that and the villages of
Carnwath being cled with sheep ; all this being
under ther prospect, as they stood upon that
green hill, that eftirward John Earle of Marre
designed to build the house of

Cowthally on. At this place Hugh came up to
his lady, and asked how she lyked that sight.
She answered, nothing better nor more pleasing
could be seen then these meadowes and that
levine ground, with ther furniture. " But how
farr," sayes she, " is it to the toune ye promised
to let me see?" Whereat he laughed heartili,
and told the Lady Cambusnethen and the rest
of the company the discourse that past betwixt
him and his wife the first night att supper. When
she came to Carnwath, rydeing dounc the river
syde, they turned at the march of Carstares bar-
ronie, then wholly, or for the greatest part, as
to the propperty, possessed by the church, the
baillzierie and command being the Lord So-
mervihVs for many years before and eftirward.
At lenth they came to Cowthally Loch, wheron

THE SOMERVILLS. 339

ther was a boat, which served for drawing the
nets for fishes, wherin it abounds of all sorts,
such as in use to be in any fresh- watter loch : \
and, besyde this, ther is to be seen, throughout
the greatest part of the year, many watter-foulles,
very usefull for houses keeping ; soe that it may
be warrantably asserted, this loch furnished ther
tables both with fishes and foulles ; and, at pre-
sent, if it wer rightly mannadged, by the use of
a coy duke,3 as they have in Holland, consider-
ing the seat of the loch, and the nature of the
wholl countrey thereabout, it might yeeld a con-
siderable revenue to the ouner therof. The boat
upon the loch could admitt but of sex persones,
thairfbre the company resolved to take ther re-
creatione upon the watter by turnes, four ladyes
and two gentlemen at a tyme. The first that en-
tered was the Lady Cambusnethen, she being
accustomed with the watter, by the frequent oc-
casione she had to crosse Clyde at her oune
dwelling. The Lady Somervill was timerous, as
never being upon the watter before, to goe en-
ter the boat j but the confidence of the Ladyes

1 This lake is about a mile in circumference : no fish are now
found in it save small perches.
* Decoy.

340 MEMORIE OF

Garmichaell and Westerhall, who passed before,
made her venter with the rest. The loch was
smooth, the weather being now calme and very
pleasant. They rowed the wholl lenth and
breadth of the loch, the Ladyes Cambusnethen
and Carmichaell sometymes applying the oares,
to make knoune thcr skill, and give confidence
to the Lady Somervill, who now quytting her
feares, was as forward as any of them, which she
eftirwards testified, being often present in the
boat at the drawing of the nets. This loch not
being fan* from the house of Cowthally, (have-
ing wearyed themselves at this recreatione, and
the sun neer setting,) landing at the north-west
end of the loch, and seeing the houses neer by,
they would not take ther horses again, but walk-
ed upon foot, the gentlemen accompanying them
alongst the top of the

or rig of dry hilles that leades directly
from the loch of Cowthally, where, passing two
litle bridges of stone, wherof one yet stands,
they entered the first closse, which was only
office-houses, unto the second gate upon the
right-hand, where stood that great tower wherin
Lord John then dwelt. I shall leave the de-
scription of this house untill I come to wryte

of Lord Hughe's buildings j and then it shall be

7

THE SOMERVILLS. 3-il

done according to the best information e I have
from these yet alyve, that saw it in it's best con-
ditione.

Lord John, besyde his infirmitie at this tyme,
was contracting that disease wherof, seven years
eftirwards, he dyed, and was the very same that
removed his father, William, master of Somer-
vill, in the midst of his dayes. However, all the
company, as they passed, rendered him a visite ;
and his sister-in-law, a most respective and sub-
missive one, and which she ever observed to him
dureing his life. He thanked all the company
in the best termes he could ; and they, not will-
ing to be farther troublesome, tooke leave and
went to supper, where ther fare was beyond all
that the young lady had seen, wholl sheep and
legges of cowes being served up in timber platers,
or rather in troches of ane awell " forme, made
out of the trunkes of

black and firme in the timber, as if they had
been ibony or brizell, some of which remained
untill my tyme. This was a vanitie and unthriftie
custome they observed at ther treates in these
dayes, for it was in the great quantitie of these,

1 Oval.

342 MEMORIE OP

and abundance of tame and wylde foull, that
they gloryed most. The fashione of kickshoes
and desertes was not much knoune, nor served
upon great men's tables, before Queen Marie's
reigne. Amongst other discourses att supper,
Hugh told his lady she had seen two of the
tounes, and to-morrow the third should be dis-
covered to her that supplyed his table soe plen-
tifully. By this she understood he meaned the
Lampits, the loch, and the moores of Carnwath,
for wilde foull. Supper being ended, most of the
company remained att Cowthally, and the rest
that could not be lodged there, went to Carn-
wath tower, the distance not being farr, but all
returned the morrow and dynned att Cowthally ;
and thus they continued for some dayes, being
feasted some tymes at the one house, and then
again at the other, untill Saturnesday morning
eftir breakfast, Cambusnethen, his lady, and all
the nether waird gentlemen took ther leave, and
receaved the complement of being convoyed the
lenth of Cleghorne by his cousine Hugh and his
lady, where they parted with great demonstra-
tiones of kyndenes, and assurance given to con-
tinue for the future in firme freindship. But
myne and thyne devydes all the world, as it did,

THE SOMERVILLS. 343

within a few years, these neer relationes upon
this occasione.

John Duke of Albanie haveing receaved the
governement, the first thing of any importance
he did, as most remarkable in our histories, was
to stryke off the heads of Alexander Lord Home
and William his brother, and confiscated ther
goods, and forfaulted ther lands. Being thus
rid of the chamberlane, he did much fear that
others of the great men would disturbe the peace
of the countrey. Being resolved to goe to France,
he makes the Earle of Angus governor in his ab-
sence j but withall joyned with him the Earles
of Arrane and Argyle, the Arch-bishopes of
Saint Andrewes and Glasgow. Dureing this
tyme ther falls out great troubles betwext the
Earle of Angus and the Earle of Arrane, the
questione being for the baillzieship and right of
keeping court in Jedburgh forrest, the Earle of
Angus his lands ; but in which Andrew Ker of
Fairniehirst challenged a right and priviledge of
doeing justice, and punishing of malefactores as
heretable baillzie. In this contraversy Arrane
syded with Fairniehirst, in oppositione to the
Earle of Angus. He sendes his base sone James
Hamilton. As he was on his way towards Fair-
niehirst to assist him, John Somervill of Cam-

344 MEMORIE OF

busnethen, nick-named Red-Bag, settes upon
him, killes fyve or sex of his company, took
threttieth men and horses, and persewed himself
soe neer that he was forced to run into Home
castle for his safety.1 This fact was imputed to
Angus, on whom the Laird of Cam busnethen did
for the most part depend, as being his nephewes
men, thinking that this was done by his direc-
tione ; but it is weill knoune, besydes this quar-
rel, and his relatione to the earle, that Cambus-
nethen at this tyme had a particular feed with
the Hamiltons, which he evinced by a second
attempt j for a conventione being appoynted att
Edinburgh, where Archibald Douglas of Kill-
spindie, the Earle of Angus uncle, or cousine-
german rather, being provest, the Hamiltones

1 Sub idem fere tempus, semina discordiarum jacta sunt
inter comitem Angusise, et Andream Carum Farnihestium, ob
jurisdictionem agri quidem comitis, sed in quo jus conventuum
habendorum Andreas sibi esse affirmaret. Iteliqua Carorum
familia comiti, Andreae vero Hamiltonii favebant, magis ob
Duglassii odium, quam quod certum jus esse Caro arbitraren-
tur. Igitur, cum, sub diem conventus, in majoris, quam pro re
de qua contendebatur, aleam certaminis sese utrique pararent,
Joannes Somervallius, Duglassianae factionis, juvenis nobilis et
magni animi, Jacobum, Araniae Comitis filium nothum, in iti-
nere aggressus, quinque comitum ejus occidit, reliquos fugavit,
supra triginta equos cepit." — Buchanani Hisioria, apud Opera,
Edin. 1715, fol. p. 261.

THE SOMERVILLS. 345

refuised to come thither, alleadgeing that they
could not thinke themselves assured of their lyves
in the toune where he was provest. The gentle-
man, to cutt of this excuse, layes doune his office,
and in his roume was choysen Robert Logane,
burges of Edinburgh. The Hamiltones ther-
upon comes to the toune, and finding the Earle
of Angus but meanly attended, his freinds not
being yet come, they assembled togither ther
factione in the Arch-bishope Beatones house,
then chancellor, in the Black Frier Wynde, and
there resolves by all meanes to apprehend Angus.
The occasione was fair at this tyme, considering
his singlenes and ther multitude. Soe soon as
Angus heard of ther consultationes, he sent to
them his uncle, the Bishope of Dunkeld, de-
syreing that if they had any greivance or just
quarrell against him, they would complean ther-
of to the conventione, to whose censure he would
submitt himself, and make such satisfactione as
it should please them to ordaine, and to this pur-
pose Dunkeld spocke to Glasgow, the chancel-
lor, to move the rest to accept of this offer, and
that he would not be ane instrument of civill
dissentione. But he had faire perswading of him.
Noe man was deeper in it then he, who was ring-
leader to the rest, and very episcopally had putt

MEMORIE OF

on armour to be present at it, and to assist them
himself in persone ; yet he sought to excuse him-
self, and laid all the blame upon the Earle of
Arrane, who said he was highly offended with
the Earle of Angus for many occasiones, but
cheifly for the affront done to his sone by So-
mervill. Soe far the author of the historie of the
Douglasses gives us ane account of Cambusne-
then : But in his relateing of ther actings that
day, he ascryves it wholly to the conduct and
valour of the Earle of Angus, whereas it's cer-
tane that whatever hand the Earle of Angus
might have, being the principall nobleman and
most concerned, yet Cambusnethen was the prin-
cipall actor of that bussines, as is evident from
the act of parliament relateing to the Laird of
Cambusnethen's forfalture, which eftirwards shall
be spocken to. The matter in effect being this.
Cambusnethen, haveing brought David Home of
Wedderburne, his brother, and severall others
that favoured the Douglasses, to the street of
Edinburgh, in oppositione to the Hamiltones
and the chancellor,1 upon Munday, the last of

1 These gentlemen, with their followers, forced the Nether-
bow-port, a gate which divided the city from the suburb called
the Canongate, and thus appeared at the critical moment whew

THE SOMERVILLS.. S47

Apryle, 1520, att ten hours, assalted the persones
and followers of the chancellor and the Earle of
Arrane upon the High-Street of Edinburgh, as
they wer goeing to the tolbuith for administra-
tione of justice as they pretended. Prevailling
in this, he expelled them and all ther followers
furth of the toiine ; and when, upon the first of
May, haveing incressed ther number, they de-
signed to returne to the toune, Cambusnethen
charged them again upon the Barrow Muir,
forceing them with losse to reteire j for all which
actes of hostilitie against the chancellor and Ar-
rane, being regents for the tyme, in the parlia-
ment holden att Edinburgh, the seventh day of
Apryle, 1522, by John Duke of Albanie, the
Laird of Cambusnethen was forfaulted, and the
gift therof given to James Earle of Arrane, Hugh
Lord Somervill, and Sir James Hamilton of Fin-
hard. Upon this grant and forfaulture the Lord
Somervill1 puts himself in possessione of the

Angus was likely to be overpowered by the multitude of his
enemies. The skirmish was long remembered by the popular
epithet of " Cleanse the causetvay."

1 Not John Lord Somerville, but his brother Hugh, acting
perhaps in his name. As the two brothers adhered to different
factions, it becomes difficult to trace the various incidents af-
fecting the family.

348 MEMORIE OF

fourty pund land that lay within the barronie of
Carnwath, belonging to Cambusnethen in prop-
perty, but holding, of the Lord Somervill. Sir
James Hamilton of Finhard possesses himself of
the barronie of Cambusnethen.1 What fell to the
Earle of Arrane's share I find not in wrytt ; but
that Cambusnethen at this tyme had the fourth
part of the barronie of Stenhouse, Drum, Gill-
mertoune, and Gutters in Mid-Louthian, with
severall uther lands, both in Peebles and in Gal-
loway, is certane, from wryttes and evidences
yet remaining.

Dureing the tyme of Cambusnethen's banish-
ment and forfaulture, which was three years, Sir
1525. James Hamilton built much at Cambusnethen,
for he brought a great building in forme of a
court from the south west quarter of the Bairds
ther tower, and joyned it to the east quarter of

1 It is probably this forcible possession of Cambusnethen
which is alluded to in an original letter from Sir Philip Dacre
to Lord Dacre, 25th July, 1522, by which we are informed,
" that, by Albany's command, Arran had taken Somerville's
house, who was a partizan of Angus and Home, and turned his
wife out of doors, though she was delivered but the day before."
— Pxnkerton's History, vol. II. p. 203.

Note. The Somerville here mentioned must have been Sir
John of Quathquan, the ally of Angus, and mortal foe of
Arran.

THE SOMERVILLS. 349

that great bodie of the house of aisler worke,
built by Sir John of Quathquan. This additionall
building consisted of three quarters three storie
high, and had in all twentieth and four roumes,
which were still named the Hamiltone's Worke,
I haveing seen this myself in the very forme it
had. I have often admired soe excellent a man,
and soe much admired both for his publict and
privat workes, should have contrived soe ridi-
colous a building as this was, haveing nothing
to commend it but a number of roumes, and
staires twelve or thretteinth foot squair, one
light and one sinking privie, ane roume for a
bedsteed in each of the chambers, soe that it
resembled ane hospitall, and rather diminished
then added either beautie or convenience to the
great house.

Some two years eftir this John Lord Somer-
vill dyed, as is allready related. His brother now
takes the title, and is designed Lord Somervill,
who, being in possession of these lands that be-
longed to Cambusnethen, tennent steeded all the
roumes belonging to him within the barronie of
Carnwath with his oune relationes, or such as
wholly depended upon the familie of Cowthally.
Thairfore, in the year 1525, the eleventh of
Jully, the parliament haveing restored the Laird

350 MEMORIE OF

of Cambusnethen to all his lands, by takeing off
the forfaulture,1 he requyred the Lord Somer-

* This restoration of fortune and blood took place on the
third of August, 1525, upon a reconciliation between the great
rivals Angus and Arran. The former doubtless stipulated for
indemnity to John Somerville of Cambusnethan, as being one
of his most attached and active adherents. The record of par-
liament is as follows :

" Anno 1525. Tertio Augusti. Anent ye summondis rasit
at ye instance of Jhone Somervale, sumtyme of Cambusne-
thane, aganis Maist^r Adam Ottirburn of Auldhame, aduocat
to our souerane lord, and aganis James Erie of Arane, Hew
Lord Somervale, and James Hamiltoun of Fynnart, Knycht,
allegit donatouris to our said souerane lord and Jhone Duke
of Albany, his tutour and gouernor of his realme for ye tyme,
in yat part of all and sundry landis, gudis, movable and vn-
movable, of ye said Jhone Somervalis, be resoun of ye dome
of forfaltour gevin aganis ye said Jhone, and ilkane of yame
for yar interess to heir and see ye said dome of forfaltour gevin
aganis ye said Jhone in ye parliament haldin at Edinburgh
apoun Monunday, ye vii day of ye moneth of Aprile, ye zer
of God im vc and xxii zeris be ye said Jhone Duke of Albany,
&c. gouernour of yis realme for ye tyme, adiugcand and de-
cernand ye said Jhone Somervale to have commirtit and in-
currit ye crymes of lese maiestie in diuerss punctis contenit in
ye said dome of forfaltour. That is, in art and part of ye cruell
and treasonable inuasioun of ye persouns of ane maist reuerend
fadir in God, James, yan Archibischop of Glasgw, chancellar,
and of James Erie of Arane, Lord Hammiltoun, twa of ye re-
gentis of yis realme, in absence of ye said Jhone Duke of Al-
bany, gouernour, yai beand passand fra yar house in ye said
toun of Edinburgh to ye tolbuith of ye samin, for administra-
tioun of justice, apoun Monunday, ye last day of Aprile, in ye
zer of God, im vc and xx zeris, aganis quham ye said Jhone,
with his complicis, arrayit batell apoun ye public streit treson-

THE SOMERVILLS. 35 1

vill to repossesse him in these of Carnwath,
which he refuised to doe. Cambusnethen ther-

ablie, with wapnis inuasiue. And for ye tresonable art and part

of ye expulsioun of ye saidis regentis, and ye laif of ye lordis

furth of ye said toun yai beand deput for administratioun of

justice. And for ye tresonable resistance and impediment

making to ye saidis regentis and lordis being with yaim, sa yat

yai mycht not do justice to our souerane lordis liegis, because

yai war be ye said Jhone and his complicis be way of armes

compellit furth of ye said toun. And for ye tresonable art and

part of ye said conuocatioun of certane tratouris and rebellis

of ye realme ; as David Hume of Wedderburn, and his breyer,

with a multitude of thevis and vyer ill doaris, ye first day of

Maii, ye zer of God forsaid, arrayand batell in ye sicht of our

souerane lord, apoun ye borrowmur of Edinburgh. And for

ye tresonable assistance and favour gevin to ye said David

Hume of Wedderburn, and his complicis, tratouris, and rebellis

in ye taking of ye castellis of Hume and Wedderburn, and

furnissing of ye samin contrar ye said regentis and our souerane

Lordis auctorite. And for ye tresonable conuocatioun of our

souerane lordis liegis passand be way of batale in our said

souerane lordis sycht to ye townys of Linlithgw and Striveling,

notwithstanding ye said Jhone and his complicis war forbiddin

to do ye samin be our souerane lordis lettrez, under ye pane

of tresoun, and at his returning in ye tresonable arraying of

batale aganis ye said James Erie of Arane, and inuasioun of

him, as inuasion of our souerane lordis persoun, he beand ane

of ye regentis of ye realme, and lieutenent of ye est marchis,

aganis Ingland and Lothane, slayand diuers of ye kingis liegis,

beand vnder his baner with ye said James Erie of Arane, de-

cernand yarfore ye said Jhone to haue forfaultit his life, and

all and sindry his hcretagis, annuell rentis, possessiouns, su-

perioriteis, with yar pertinentis and offices, with all and sindry

his gudis, movable and vnmovable, to out souerane lordis vse

and his successouris, to be assignit and perpetualie applyit or

352 MEMORIE OF

upon perse vves Thomas Somervill of Blackcastle,
David Somervill of Greenfeild, and severall uther

vyerwayis, at ye will of ye said Jhone Duke of Albany, protec-
tour and gouemour of ye realm for ye tyme, to be disponit as
in ye same dome of forfaltour is at mair lenth contenit, with all
yat followit yarupoun to be cassit, adnullit, retretit, decernit,
and declarit of na strenth, force, nor effect, fra ye beginning
and in tyme to cum. And als to heir and see ye said Jhone
Somervale declarit be our souerane lord, with ye counsale and
avise of ye thre estatis of his realme to be restorit to ye faith
and pece of his hienes, and to all and sindry his landis, annuell
rentis, dominiouns, perpetuale and temporale offices, superiori-
ties, jurisdictiouns, fame, honour, and digniteis, and to all and
sindry his gudis, movable and vnmovable, and in ye samin state
and place yat he was in befor ye geving of ye said dome of for-
faltour aganis him for diuerss resouns and causis contenit in
ye said summondis. Our souerane lord comperand in parlia-
ment be Maister Adam Ottirburn, his aduocat, Hew Lord So-
mervale being personally present ; James Erie of Arane, and
.Tames Hamiltoun of Fynnart, Knycht, lauchfully summoned to
yis actioun, oftimez callit, and nocht comperit. The rychtis,
resouns, and allegatiouns for our souerane lord being allegit
and schewin be ye said Maister Adame, the forsaid summondis
and punctis yarof, and yai yarwith being at lenth riplie auisit
all in ane voice without variance gaif yar sentence, and decreit
of parliament, resindand and retretand ye dome of forfaltour
gevin agane ye said Jhone Somervale at Edinburgh, ye day
and zer above writtin, and fand and deliverit yat ye samin was
iniustlie and wrangously led aganis the said Jhone, becaus eftir
ye executioun of ye said summondis quhar upon ye said dome
was gevin, and before ye geving yarof, ye said Jhone was re-
mittit of all crymes contenit in ye said summondis and dome.
Likas his remissioun gevin him yarupoun, schawin and producit
in face of parliament, proportit and bure, and yarfor rescindis,
retretis, cassis, and adnullis ye said dome of forfaltour, led and

THE SOMERVILLS. 353

tennents and possessores of his fourtie pund land
within Carnwath barronie, and that before the
commissar court of Carnwath, it being a collegiat
church, and this court a church judicatory, as
would appear, it had this priviledge at that tyme,
for he gott them acted for payment, which they
refuised, wer cursed by the church, therupon
supplicatione was given in to the king and coun-
sell upon the twentieth and seventh of Jully,
1526. Wherupon he procures ane speciall war- 1526.
rand from the king, for to distreinzie all the
goods of these persones, untill he was payed,
conforme to the sentence passed in his favoures.
This Cambusnethen attempting to doe, was de-
forced and stopped by Hugh Lord Somervill,
and slaughter made upon the place. Wherupon
Cambusnethen reneues his petitione to the lords
of counsell ; and upon the twentieth and second
of August, 1527, he obtains an ample warrand

gevin aganis ye same Jhone Somervale, and decernis ye sanain
of nane avale, force, nor effect, with all yat followit yarupon,
and reponis, reintegratis, and restoris ye said Jhone till his ho-
nour, heretagis, landis, rentis, possessiouns, offices, actiouns,
and gudis, movable and vnmovable, siclik and in als ample
manere as he was before ye geving of ye said dome, and yat
letrez of publication be gevin heirapoun in dew forme as
efferis." — Records of the Parliament of Scotland,

Z

354 MEMORIE OF

from them to charge the Lord Somervill, be
open proclamatione, att the market crosse of
Lanerk, and his complices, for eshewing future
slaughter betwext them, to desist from hinder-
ing John Somervill of Cambusnethen to putt his
letters in executione against his tennents, with
certificatione of the highest nature, in caice of
disobedience. By this proceeding Cambusnethen
was payed, and had peaceable possessione of all
his lands within the barronie of Carnwath.

This morsall being pluckt out of the Lord So-
mervill's hands, he was content to live in peace,
makeing now (his brother Lord John being
dead) his residence att Cowthally house, which
stood within the mosse, and, before this lord's
tyme, could be non of the con venien test, in re-
gaird it consisted only of three great towers, not
one of them joyned to other. The first was that
upon the north next to the moss, directly four-
squair ; and, by what was standing of it when I
saw it, it appeared by the contryvance and rude-
nes of the workmanship, to be the first building
that ever had been there, and of long continu-
ance. The second was that upon the east, look-
ing to the toune of Carnwath, a perfect circle,
as the foundatione represents, which is all that
is standing of it. The third is that which was

THE SOMERVILLS. 355

built by William, the second barrone of Carn-
wath, of the name of Somervill, and stands yet
upon the right-hand as ye enter the second gate,
looking to the south : it's four-squair, and twice
walled, and hes had a double battlement, the
first wherof hes gone of the levin of the second
vault. All these towers wer joyned only by a
barakine wall, and each of them in breadth and
lenth had but one spacious roume, one above
another.1 It's likely, by what remaines of two of

1 This was the ancient mode of building castles in Scotland.
The most simple was a barmkin, or fencible court-yard wall,
with a tower within it. Nor do they seem to have had any idea
of variety, but merely added one tower to another, as a family
increased in wealth and importance. The following edict of
parliament throws light upon the architecture of the age :

" Anno 1535. 12m° Junii. Ffor bigging of strengthis on ye
bordouris.

" Item, it is statut and ordanit for saiffing of men yare gudis
and gere vpoun ye bordouris in tyme of were, and all uyer
troblous tyme, that every landit man, duelland in ye inland or
vpoun ye bordouris, havand yare ane hundreth pund land of
new extent, sail big ane sufficient barmkyn apoun his heretage
and landis, in place maist conuenient, of stane and lyme, con-
tenand thre score futis of ye square, ane elne thik, and vi elnys
heicht, for ye resset and defenss of him, his tennentis, and yah*
gudis in trublous tyme, with ane toure in ye samin for himself,
gif he thinkis it expedient. And yat all uyir landit men of
smaller rent and reuenew big pelis and gret strenthis as yai
pless, for saiffing of yare selfis, men, tennentis, and gudis. And

356 MEMORIE OF

them, they have been four storie high ; but how
they came to the uppermost roumes passes my
understanding.1 This was the fabrick of the
house of Cowthally, when Hugh Lord Somer-
vill begane to build ; and I admire, considering
the baseness of the stance, the unwhollsomenes
of the place, being double ditched, with stand-
ing watter about it, and inconveniency of the
house itself, being impossible to make it regular,
without razeing the wholl to the foundatione,
he should not have imployed his money and
paines upon a better stance, seing ther was many
pleasanter and convenienter stances for a house
within the barronie of Carnwath ; but, in all
probabilitie, the same reasones that necessitat
the first builders to place ther habitatione there,
moved him to continue his ; for countrey feedes
was yet in vigour, and banding amongst the no-

yat all ye saidis strenthis, barnikynnis, and pelis, be biggit and
completit within twa zeris vnder ye pane." — Records of the
Parliament of Scotland.

1 In some of the most ancient towers there seems to have
been no staircase, the inhabitants ascending from one story to
another by means of a ladder placed against a hole, or trap-
door. And, in other cases, it is plain that the staircase has
been no part of the original building, but hollowed out after-
wards from the thickness of the corner wall, or inclosed in a
turret of later date than the apartments to which the stair
leads.

THE SOMERVILLS. 357

bilitie and gentrie, soe that upon the least of-
fence they wer in armes ; and if by inequalitie
of number wer really worstit, they wer neces-
sitat to flee, the house itself and its situatione
was a sure retreat ; for ther was noe possibilitie
to approach the same but at two passes, which
a few men might easily defend ; ' or because it
had been for a long tyme the principall residence
of his predecessores, might prove the only mo-
tive to perswade him to contryve it soe for the

* Besides the strength of the castle of Cowthally, surround-
ed on all sides by an impassable morass, and only capable of
approach by a narrow causeway, or tongue of land, tradition
alleges a superstitious reason for the choice of the situation.
It is said that the work was begun by the original founder upon
a sloping hill, near the morass in question ; but that in a dream
or vision, he beheld a spirit transport the foundation-stone of
his intended castle to the present site : and finding, in the
morning, that the foundation-stone had actually been removed,
lie accepted of the hint, and adopted the situation, which
seemed thus recommended by supernatural revelation. The
same story is told of Callaly castle, in Northumberland. As
the names are similar, the legend may have been borrowed by
the one from the other. To a modern eye, Cowthally requires
the miracle most for vindication of the architect. The Nor-
thumbrian rhime runs nearly thus :

Callaly castle stands on a hight,
It's up in the day and down in the night ; -
Build it up on the shepherd's shaw,
There it will stand and never fa'.

358 MEMORIE OF

future. Thairfore, in anno 1524, he buildesone
quarter upward of ane hundered foot, standing
east and west, joyning to the north tower, soe
that one syde of it made a part of the syde wall
of this building. The tower itself being without
the house, had three parts of it only seen, the
fourth being for a part of the syde- wall of the
great house ; and had doores strucken through
for each storie. The west end of this great build-
ing outstreatched the old tower twentieth foot ;
and upon the south corner had a great round
from the foundatione, a part wherof yet standes,
and lies served for studies. The east end of this
same building came to the old round tower upon
the east, which served that coiner, and made it
conforme to the west tower ; but that this tower
was much bigger, and served for a chamber.
The wholl foundatione of this building, old and
new, stood upon sex vaults, and a litle one be-
neath the south-west rounde. The staircase that
served this house was a large turnepyke, placed
upon the south, neer to the midle of the build-
ing, the shell being round for the most part, was
seen without that syde-wall wherupon it was
placed. All this great building had in the se-
cond storie but sex roumes, in the new building
a great hall, wherin the first contained of sex-

THE SOMERVILLS. 359

tieth foot ; a bed-chamber upon each end, twen-
tieth and four foot square, for that was the
breadth of the house. Each of the old towers
had but one large roume that went of the same
flooring ; the one of them lies gone of the broad
syde of the hall, and the other within the east
chamber. That chamber upon the west of the
hall had the benefite of a large studie from the
round upon the south-west corner of the house.
What roumes was in the third and fourth stories
may easily be conjectured, for that space and
lenth above the great hall being devyded in
three, makes nyne roumes in every flooring.

This house being finished, three years thereftir,
in anno 1528, he drew a long building conforme
of a gallery, standing upon seven vaultes, from
the south-side wall of the east pud of his new
house, the old round tower upon that quarter
being without all along the east quarter of the
tower, fronting the village of Carnwath, and
joyned it to that great squair tower upon the
south, and right-hand as ye enter the second
gate, which, when it was finished by his grand-
child, the last Lord Hugh, for this lord raised
the same only two storie high, made two quar-
ters compleat of the court, and of ane equall
hight. Before this tyme ther had been build-
ings upon the west quarter of ane equall hight ;

360 MEMORIE OF

soe by this gallery the court had just three com-
pleat quarters, and was all open to the south,
save, by a thick wall about fyve elles high,
much wherof yet standes, which devyded be-
twext the inner and outter court, thad had only
office houses. The foundationes only now are
to be seen ; and of the great house of the inner
court ther is only standing the west end of the
great hall.' The chimnay brace which beares
the Somervilles armes, with the inscriptione of
Hugh Lord Somerville's name, incircleing. Ther
is much likewayes standing of that old squair
tower that was upon the broad syde of this hall,
and hes been certanely the first building in that
place. There is likewayes a part of the small
round, and some of the schell of the turnepyke
yet standing, with a great part of the tower at
the second entry, which was built by William,
the second Barrone of Carnwath ; for the wholl
of this building is standing within the syde of a
great mosse, upon a green parsell of ground in
forme of ane island somewhat longer, the breadth
not exceeding half ane aiker, or three quarters,
of ground at most, which allowed, to my under-

* Brought to Drum in 169S, and placed in the staire caicc
built in the same year; and, in 1741, placed in Lord Somer-
ville's tower.—. Oris;. Note.

^

\

3

fa

a

o

!

THE SOMERVILLS. 36 1

standing, roume neither for gairden or orchyaird.
Barren timber ther was, as some liveing assertes;1
but, to wryte the truth, the house, in it's best
cpnditione, hes neither been staitely nor conve-
nient. Something of greatnes and strenth it had,
being double ditched about, and the walls ex-

1 From the account of the ruins of Cowthally castle, given in
the statistical account of the parish, it would seem that though
the trees have been long since dead, the tradition concerning
their existence continues to flourish. — " On the west side of
the large moss, to the north of the village, on a narrow point
of dry land that juts out a little into the moss, are the ruins
of Cowthalley, the seat of the ancient family of the Sommer-
villes, a branch of the Sommervilles of Whitchnor, in Eng-
land, and which settled in this country about the middle of the
12th century. This family, the most powerful and opulent in
this part of the country, were at one time possessed of the ba-
ronies of Carnwath and Liberton in Clydesdale, and of Linton
in Tweeddale. Sir John Sommerville of Carnwath and Linton
was a steady and faithful adherent of Robert Bruce, in the
violent and bloody contest he had to maintain for the crown.
This castle had once been a place of great strength, surround-
ed with an excellent deep ditch, and large earthen mound, the
entry being by a drawbridge on the W. Tradition says, that
it got the name of Couthally (which signifies a warm sheltered
walk or avenue,) because at this time there was an avenue
from the castle all the way to the village of Carnwath, border-
ed on each side by full-grown oaks ; and what seems to give
weight and confirmation to this tradition is, that when this
moss is dug to the bottom, large oaks are often found, some of
them in a surprising state of preservation, considering the
amazing depth at which they now lie." — Statistical Account of
Scotland, vol. IV. p. 335. The reverend author has mistaken
Linton in Roxburghshire, for Linton in Tweeddale, which
never belonged to the family.

362 MEMORIE OF

ceeding thick, as was the use in these tymes;
and indeed this was all to commend it ; for ther
could not be a worse situatione pitched upon, in
my judgement, then this for a dwelling. But
all the defects of the place was abundantly sup-
plyed by a noble lord and vertueous lady, who,
being mother to sex children, three sones and
three daughters, brought them up vertueously,
and saw all of them provyded for and honour-
ably marryed in her oune tyme, as eftirwards
shall be declared.

King James the Fyfth, from his minoritie, had
been tossed lyke a tinnes ball, sometymes under
this factione, and then under that, as the power
and interest of the factiones of the queen, the
Duke of Albanie, and the nobilitie took place.
The first that challenged the guardianshipe and
tutelage of the king was the queen, to whom it
was given soe long as she continued a widow,
and followed the counsell and advyce of the
chancellor, and uther great counsellers of the
kingdome. But in this her governement the peo-
ple wer ever in motione, mutinous, and delight-
ing in changes, did not long last ; for the wholl
countrey was in a manner under the command
of these four : Alexander Lord Gordoune in a
manner ruled and commanded the countreyes

THE SOMERVILLS. 363

northward the river of Forth ; Alexander Lord
Home usurped allmost the royall authoritie over
the countreyes of the south ; the Earle of Angus,
by marrying of the queen, would needs be um-
peir, and have all matters of state and church
disposed of and governed according to his plea-
sure ; James Earle of Amine, Lord Hamilton,
being neerest of blood to the king, could not
but with indignatione look upon the undeserved
greatnes of these usurpers. " Under the shadow
of this polygarchy," sayes Drummond, " turbu-
lent, evill-disposed men, abhorring quyetnes,
raised the countrey, and did what they pleased."
These contendings haveing at lenth, principally
by the continuance of Alexander Lord Home,
then great chamberlane of Scotland, brought
home John Duke of Albanie, sone to Alexander
Duke of Albanie, and brother to King James
the Third, whose government being much mis-
trusted, by these very factiones of the nobilitie
dureing his sex years regency, he at lenth
quyeted the same, and went to France, without
any more returning to Scotland. The Duke of
Albanie being now gone, the queen assumes the
government again with the persone of her sone,
leaves Stirling, and comes to Edinburgh, lodges
herself and the king within the castle, orders all

36* MEMORIE OF

things within the citty according to her oune
mynde ; and, to give the fairest lustre to her ac-
tiones, a parliament is called att Edinburgh, that
what she did might consist with law. The day
on which this parliament should been held, two
faction es began again to strugle ; that of the
queen's, wherin wer the Earle of Arrane, Mur-
ray, Eglintoune, with many other noblemen in
the west ; and that of the Earles of Angus, Len-
nox, and Argyle, the Archbishop of Saint An-
drewes, and others who joyned with them rather
out of fear then good will. This bussines was
lyke to come to blowes ; but at lenth some
churchmen interposing themselves, perswaded
the parties to a mediatione. Wherupon the par-
liament sits doune, in which the authoritie of the
former governement, the Duke of Albanie, is
abrogated, and eight lords wer choysen to have
the custody of the king's persone quarterly,
every one his moneth successively ; and the
wholl to stand for the governement of the state j
yet with limitatione that the king, by ther coun-
sell, should not determine or ordaine any thing
in great affaires, to which the queen, as princes
dowager, gave not her free consent and appro-
batione. The lords that wer choysen wer Saint
Andrewes, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dunkeld,

THE SOMEIiVILLS. 365

the Earles of Angus, Amine, Lennox, and Ar-
gyle. But the authoritie of these trusties con-
tinued not long ; for the state begane of new to
be tossed by the troublesome factiones of the
queen and the Earle of Angus, untill at lenth
the Earle of Angus, notwithstanding that the
Archbishop of Saint Andrewes, the Earles of
Arrane, Argyle, and Murray, who wer of the
queen's factione, laid a plott to accuse Angus
upon high treasone. Ther accusationes

Angus made the king
and the other partie
offering to back ther charge with force, resolves
to repell force by force. Wherupon he marches
out of the toune of Edinburgh, and takes the
king alongst with him. Which when the leaders
of the queen's factione understood, they reteired
back again to Stirling, where they disbanded.
This factione discipated, the Earle of Angus re-
mained more assured, and now he findeth noe
competitor. Thus, whill the king remained a
shadow to the earle's government amidst soe
many distractiones, disorders, and jarres of the
grandies, ther wer severall attemptes made by
the king's instigatione to free him from the
power of the Earle of Angus, first by the Laird
of Buccleugh, and then by the Earle of Lennox ;

366 MEMORIE OF

but both these being worsted in open feild, and
the later killed upon the place, att the conflict
which happened betwext hirn and the Earles of
Arrane and Angus neer Linlithgow, in the moneth
of September, 1528. But at lenth what open
force could not doe, the king performed with
this stratageme :

The king, amidst his followers, walkes in his
parke of Falkland, considering of what a tedious
train he was releived off, the Earle of Angus
being now gone from court to visite his oune
dwelling place, and to order some of his private
affaires, he considered how suddenly occasione
might tunie her bald scalpe, if presently he took
not hold on her. Thairfore he resolves to ac-
complish by stratagem what the affectiones of
his nobilitie could not performe by force. " It
is delightfull," sayes Drummond, " to under-
stand every particular circumstance in the pro-
gresse of the actiones of princes." Upon this
resolutione the king directed the foster of his
parke of Falkland to give advertisement to such
gentlemen about who keeped houndes, the next
morning to attend him, for he would airly have
his game. He supped sooner then his custome
was, intertaineing the captaine of his guairds
with more thenusuall ceremonies and representa-

THE SOMERVILLS. 367

tiones of the next morning's sport, withall in-
viting him to go to his rest. The night being
short, about the summer solstice, the waitters all
shifted, and the court husht, shooting his cham-
ber door, in the apparell of one of his groomes

he passed
the guaird to the stable, where, with two who
attended him with spare horses, he posted to
Stirling, where, by the queen's intelligence, he
was expected in the castle.1

1 The following lively and interesting account of the king's
escape from the domination of Angus occurs in Pitscottie. —
" Bishop James Beaton called the Douglasses and the king to
the Pasch in St Andrews, and there made them great cheer
and merriness, and gave them great gifts of gold and silver,
with fair hackneys, and other gifts of tacks and steedings, that
they would desire of him, that he might pacify their wraths
therewith, and obtain their favours. So the king tarried there
a while quiet, and used hawking and hunting upon the water
of Edin ; till at last the Earl of Angus wearied in Fife, and
therefore he asked leave of the king to go to Lothian to see his
business, and left with the king Archibald, his father's brother,
and George, his own brother, and James Douglas of Park-
head, who was captain to a guard of men that was about the
king. But within two days, Archibald Douglas, treasurer, .
asked leave of the king to pass to Dundee, and do his business
there for one day or two; (some say he had a gentlewoman
there whom he rode to visit;) and in like manner George
Douglas rode east to St Andrews to the bishop to get his tack
performed and ended at his hands, as he had promised him be-
fore ; and left with the king's grace James Douglas of Park-

368 MEMORIE OF

1528. When the certanty of his escape was noysed
abroad, many noblemen repaired to Stirling,

head, with a hundred gentlemen with him to wait upon the
king wherever he past. But when George Douglas came to
St Andrews, and remained there meikle of the day in dressing
of his business, in the meantime the king passed to the park of
Falkland, there to have hounded a deer, and thought in his
own mind the time was convenient for him to make himself
free at liberty, considering the earl, and George, and Archi-
bald were all absent at that time out of his company. There-
fore he unbethought him of a crafty mean to jeopard himself
in this manner as after follows : That is to say, he called upon
the Laird of Fairny, who was foster of the same wood, and
chamberlain of Fife at that time, and caused him to gar warn
all the whole tenants of the king's lands and gentlemen there-
about that had speediest dogs, that they would come to Falk-
land-wood on the morn, to meet him at seven hours, for he
was determinate that he would slay a fat buck or two for his
pleasure ; and to that effect gart warn the cooks and stewards
to make his supper ready, that he might go to his bed the
sooner, and have his disjoin ready by four hours ; and com-
manded James Douglas of Parkhead to pass the sooner to his
bed, and caused to bring his collation, and drank to James
Douglas, saying to him, that he should have good hunting the
morn, and bade him be timeous ; and syne the king went to his
bed. Then James Douglas, seeing the king in his bed, wint
that all had been sicker enough, and past in like manner to his
bed.

" When the watch was set, and all things in quietness, the
king called on a yeoman of the guard, and desired one of his
abuilziements, hose, cloke, coat, and bonnet, and put upon
him, and slipt forth as a yeoman of the stable ; and was un-
perceived of the watches till he had past to the stable, and
caused saddle a horse for himself, and one led, and took two

1

THE SOMERVILLS. 369

some by letters sent to them, wherof the Lord
Somervill was one ; others came upon the m-

servants with him, to wit, Jockie Hart, a yeoman of the sta-
ble, with another secret chamber-boy, and lap on horse, and
spurred hastily his journey to Stirling, and wan there by the
breaking of day over the bridge, and syne gart streik it be-
hind him, that no man should win that passage but license.
Syne past to the castle, and was received there by the captain,
who was very glad of his coming, and prepared the castle with
all needful things for his coming. Syne gart he steik the gates,
and drew down the portcullies, and put the king in his bed to
sleep, because he had ridden all that night.

" We will let him sleep in his bed, and return to George
Douglas, who came to Falkland at eleven hours at even, who
required at the porters what the king was doing. They an-
swered and said, that the king was sleeping in his bed in the
secret chamber ; and so said the watchmen of the guard that
watched him; and George hearing this, past to his chamber to
his bed, till on the morn that the sun was up. Syne came the
baily of Abernethy, to wit, Peter Carmichael, and knocked at
George's chamber-dor, and wakened him, and speired where
the king was. George answered and said, " He is in his cham-
ber sleeping." The bailie said, " No, he is past the bridge of
Stirling.'' Then George got up hastily, and put on his clothes,
and went to the guard, and to the porters, and speired for the
king. They answered and said, he was in his chamber in his
bed. Then George went to his chamber and knocked; but
none would answer him, for the door was locked, which he
danged up, and found no man therein. Then he cried, Fy,
treason, the king was gone they knew not where. Some said
he was past to Bambrigh to a gentlewoman. Another said he
was ridden to Stirling. Then George lap on horse to ride to
Bambrigh ; but within two miles he met the Earl of Rothes,
and shewd him the king was not there.

" Then they past to Falkland again, and took consultation

2 A

370 MEMORIE OF

mor of his evasione ; that in a litle tyme the
king found himself safe, and far from any dan-
ger again to be surprized by the Earle of Angus,
or over-ruled by his factious nobilitie. This hap-
pened in the moneth of Jully, in anno 1528.
The king being now in the eighteinth year of
his age, takes the governement upon himself,
and from henceforth mannadged all affaires, both
in church and state, according to his oune plea-
sure, and a select number of counsellors, all of
his oune choyseing. Thir things being of pub-
lict concernement, I have passed over with as
much brevitie as was possible, seing they are all-
ready spocken to in the life of this king, written
by Drummond of Hathorneden. It was in this
year that Hugh Lord Somervill became more
particularly acquainted with his majestie, by his

what was best to be done ; and sent a hasty post to the Earl of
Angus, to advertise and shew him the matter, and how it stood.
By this Archibald Douglas came out of Dundee ; and then
they foregathered all together, viz. the earl, George, and
Archibald, and rode altogether to Stirling to the king. But
when the king got word of their coming, he sent a herauld of
arms to the market-cross, and there, by sound of trumpet, com-
manded the Earl of Angus, George Douglas, Archibald Dou-
glas, treasurer, with all the rest of their kin, friends, and allies,
that none of them should come near the king, within the space
of six miles, under the pain of treason." — P. HI.

THE SOMERVILLS. 371

frequent attending upon the court, which he
continued still, by waiting upon his majestie, in
the moneth of June, to execute justice upon all
persones, theives and outlawes, particularly in
Ewsedale, fourtieth and eight notorious ryders
wer hung on growing trees, the most famous of
which was John Armestrong. Others he brought
with him to Edinburgh for more publict execu-
tione and example, as William Cockburne of
Henderland,' Adam Scott of Tuschellaw, named
King of Theives.

The year 1530, the king instituted the Col- 1530.
ledge of Justice. Before it was ambulatory, re-
moveing from place to place by circuites j and
suites of law wer peremptory decyded by baill-
zies, shirrefes, and other judges. When any great
and noble cause offered itself, it was adjudged
soveraignely by the king's counsell, which gave
free audience to all subjects. The king now
haveing established this judicatory, and setled the
countrey in peace, haveing noe wane abroad, he
was pleased to travell through many places of his

1 If the tradition of the country may be trusted, Cockburne
of Henderland was hanged over his own gateway. His chris-
tian name, as appears from his gravestone, was not William,
bat P er es.

372 MEMORIE OF

countrey, and setled any differences that might
be amongst his subjects ; and, amongst others,
he brought to a submissione Hugh Lord Somer-
vill and John Somervill, Barrone of Cambusne-
then, wherin all differences whatsoever was re-
mitted unto his majesties self, to determine ac-
cording as he thought fitting. This submissione
is dated att Linlithgow, the threttieth of May,
1532. In Jully thereftir Hugh Lord Somervill
marryes his eldest daughter, named Janet eftir
her mother, upon the Laird of Cookpooll in An-
nandale, whose sirname then was Murray, and
predecessor to the late Earle of Annandale of
that name. To this marriage the king being in-
vited, was pleased to honour that solemnitie
with his royall presence four or fyve dayes, as
may be seen by the book of accompts yet ex-
tant. The divertisement his majestie had with-
out doores was halking ; being now in the midle
of Jully, the poutes ' wer for flight, wherof they
killed many ; these feilds not being soe much
laboured then as now, yeelded great store, which
was the cause the king resorted thither eftirward
when he mynded his sport : But the recreatione

1 The young brood of muir-gamc.

THE SOMERVILLS. 373

he receaved in the feilds gave him noe such
content as what he had within doores with the
ladyes, who, seeing the young king amorously
inclyned, allowed him all the liberty that in ho-
nour he could requyre, or ther modesty per-
mitt.

Amongst all the ladyes that was there, he fan-
eyed non soe much as Katharine Carmichaell,
the captaine of Craufuird's daughter, a young-
lady much about sexteinth years of age, admired
for her beautie, handsomenes of persone, and
vivacity of spirit, whereby she attracted all eyes
that beheld her, but soe strongly the king's, that
most of his discourse was with her, and he took
it ill when he was interrupted, soe that all the
ladyes and noblemen that was present took no-
tice therof, and gave way to his majestie's court-
ing. I know ther was some malitious tongues
then, as there is not a few to this day, affirmes
that it was at this tyme, and in Cowthally-house,
that the king first procured this ladye's private
favoures ; but, by ther leave, it is a great mis-
take, and a most malitious calumnie ; for, albeit
it be true it was at this wedding he first saw this
young lady, and did affect her extremely, be-
ginning then his intrigues of love, yet had he
noe opportunity allowed him to obtaine that

S74 MEMORIE OF

which he eftirward receaved att the castle of
Crawfuird, her father's house. The Lady So-
mervill being both vertueous and wise, observe-
ing the king's passione, commanded two of Cam-
busnethen's daughters, and as many of her oune,
being then girles about eleven years of age, in
whom the king took likewayes delight to dis-
course with, never to leave the roume, unles
Mistres Katharine Carmichaell came with them,
the which they particularly observed. But to
put this beyond all cavill, this same lady being
efterward marryed upon young Cambusnethen,
acknowledged to her mother-in-law, that it was
neer a year eftir she saw the king att Cowthally
before his majestie obtained any favour from her,
but what in civilitie she might have given to any
persone of honour ; and doubtlesse, if it had
been otherwayes, the Lady Cambusnethen would
have divulged quickly the same to the prejudice
of my Lord Somerville's familie, to which she
had noe great lykeing, notwithstanding of ther
late submissione to the king, and the civilitie
they payed to each other, because of ther neer
relatione.

This marriage being over, the king went for
Stirling, being waited upon by the Lord Somer-
vill there some few dayes ; and now being to re-

THE SOMERVILLS. 375

turne to his oune house, he comes • to kisse his
majesties hand. The king told him, with a kynde
and pleasant countenance, the great intertaine-
ment and fair company he left att Cowthally made
him resolve ere long for another visite, hopeing
he should be wellcome. Haveing said this, and
raiseing him from his knee, the Lord Somervill
replyed, what he had at present was by his majes-
tie's favour and the bounty of his royall prede-
cessores, conferred upon him and his foirbearers,
of which he was ever myndefull, and therfore
was obleidged, as a duetyfull subject, to attend
his majesties pleasure in all things, haveing been
soe highly honoured by his royall presence at his
daughter's marriage that was beyond all expres-
sione of thankes. Upon this he reteired, have-
ing receaved the particular thankes of all these
noblemen and gentlemen that attended the king
dureing his residence att Cowthally. Being re-
turned, he lived at home untill the later end of
September. Upon Saturnesday at night the king
lighted att his house with Robert Bartone, who
was in speciall favour with him, and eftirwards
made thesaurer, James Hamilton of Finhard,
who likewayes before his death was thesaurer,
and likewayes master of the king's works, Oliver

376 MEMORIE OF

Sinclair, a brother of the house of Rosseline, Sir
David Lindsay of the Mount, Hendrie Kemps,
Robert Gibb, master of the king's stables, George
Steill, John Monteith, Thomas Foulls, and James
Aikenhead, keeper of the king's coffers and his
gold, and John Tennent, (eftirward Laird of
Cairness,) a domestick and wairdropper to the
king, who personated (four years eftir this) his
majestie, as he travelled incognito through
France in suite of his queen.1 These, with other

1 Most of these officers of the king's household are mention-
ed in the poems of Lindsay and Dunbar. Concerning James's
journey to France incognito, we have some curious, though
libellous particulars, in the letters of John Penman, a retainer
of the Earle of Angus, then banished and in disgrace. He also
mentions most of hi6 attendants. — " As for tydyngs I here

to be trevv, notwithstanding, as I am informed, the
king wyll not have the duke's daughter. He is yit up at Lyons,
or els at Rowane, a yissid [as is said], I here say he is sumwhat
a erased. He is the werst spoken of man, namely, of his owen,
both menyons and gentlemen, vvher the dar speke it, that is
in the universall world. He hath beggert all Scotland, as they
saye, or he cum out of it. And nowe beyng here, orderyng
hymselfe so folyshelie, with aservannd or ii, runnyng up and
downe the streats of Paris, bying every tryffell hymselfe ; he
wenynge no man know hym, wherfor that every carter poyntyd
with ther fynger, saying, yondre goyes la Roy de Escoisse.
Sum saye he wyll desyre the kyng of Fraunce's doughter;
other sum sayes he wyll desyre nocht els but Dunbarr, a
schepp, and ii or iii horsses. He haith sent Rychyt Carme-
chell into Scotland, with wryttyngs and tokens to the Laird of

THE SOMERVILLS. 3?7

seven, wer only his majestie's retinue when he
came to Cowthally. This surprizcall might have
startled any other albeit good housekeepers, but
was all one to this lord that keeped soe plenti-
full a table, and had soe provident a lady, that
upon all occasiones gave evidence of an excel-
lent house-wife. The Lord Somervill told the
king, he was only sorry he had not advertise-
ment of his majestie's comeing, that himself and
his freinds might have waitted upon him ; but
he was soon made to understand the king's
comeing incognito, and would admitt of noe
more company save himself and other two be-
syde these that came with him. By this and
some other circumstances, he guessed some part
of the king's earand, who dureing supper asked
severall questiones at the Lord Somervill (stand-

Lawghtleven's wyfe ; wharfore other sum sayes he wyll have
her. Every man is wery with him ; they wissh him under the
grounde ; the swere he can not contynew. No man can tell
how sone he cumys be post, to put his fute in a shepp, or taryes
all thys wynter. Ther ys with hym Olyuer Sinckler, Robert
Gibs, Andrew Wood, John Talland, and James Maxwell of
Rowen, and Monsieur Esturmaill, the steward of the Duck of
Vandom's house. George Stele and his chapell is in Rowen ;
John Drumond, Henry Kempt, with all the resydew, ys in the
New Haven. — Pinkerton's History of Scotland, Lond, 1797-
vol. II. p. 490.

378 MEMORIE OF

ing behind his chair) anent the captaine of Crau-
fuird, his qualitie, conditione, and what he might
have in estate and by his office. Wherin being
resolved soe far as my lord knew, the king took
occasione first to regrate the meannesse of his
fortune, and the smallnesse of his sallary ; and
eftir some spaces, began to praise his daughter's
breeding and beautie with some transport, at
lenth insinuate as much by his discourse that he
would see to the bettering of the father's estate,
and advancement of the daughter. Eftir supper
the king held a long discourse with the Lady
Somervill in his oune bed-chamber, which was
named eftir him soe long as the house remained
in it's integrity.1 What the import of ther dis-
course was these that wer present did but guesse,
for they stood at some distance ; however, it ap-
peared the king was very pressing to obtain e
some promise of her, which, with much civilitie,
she begged his majestie pardone ; and at lenth,
somewhat loud, of purpose to be heard, and to
be free from the king's importunity, spocke
thus : " Sir, her father's house is much fitter,
where your majestie may expect kynde well-

i. e. Preserved in the same state in which he used it.

THE SOMERVILLS. 3~9

come, being proprietar of the same, in honour-
ing that familie with your royall presence."
Upon which the king called the Lady Carmi-
chaell, that was next to them, and said, " Your
nighbour here, the Lady Somervill, is the most
courteous, or rather most scrupolous, persone
under heaven for another concerne ; but I will
have my revenge in being often her guest, to eat
up all the beef and pudding too of this [coun-

try.]"

Airly upon the sabbath the king caused the
Lord Somervill send a horseman to Craufuird
castle, to advertise the captaine he would be
there against night ; and withall forbade to make
any great provisione, seing his train would not
exceed a duzone. This advertisement was soe
unexpected and short, that the captaine knew
not what to thinke of it ; however, he caused
putt all things in the best order that might be,
and prepared for the king's comeing. But tlier
was non soe much surprized with the newes as
the young lady, the captaine's daughter, who,
suspecting the king's earrand from what she had
mett with from him at the marriage in Cow-
thally, she could have wished herself not only
out of her father's house, but out of the world.
Soe much terrour and affrightroent did seize up-

380 MEMORIE OF

on her persone, that she knew not what to re-
solve on. Some tymes she thought it fitt to ac-
quaint her father and mother with her feares ;
and then againe, without acquainting them with
her thoughts, to slip doune to Lamingtoune-
house, or the toune of Douglasse. But as mo-
desty tyed up her tongue from the first, soe the
shortnesse of tyme, and [the want of] ane hand-
some pretext, hindered the later ; for it was not
possible to have keeped the knowledge of her
removeall that day from the king, which might
have incensed him exceedingly against her fa-
ther, the greatest part of whose fortune was
mostly at that tyme at the king's disposeing, as
heretable keeper of the castle of Craufuird. Thus,
unresolved what to doe, or how to carry towards
the king, in great trouble of spirit, poor lady,
she remained in a carelesse dresse untill his ma-
jestie's arryveall.

The king, haveing breakfasted and heard messe
att the colledge church of Carnwath, made foir-
ward on his journey to the castle of Craufuird,
being accompanyed with non but the Lord So-
mervill and these few he brought from Edin-
burgh with him. He was mett by the captaine
of Craufuird with some horsemen, some few
myles on this syde of the castle, with whom he

THE SOMERVILLS. 381

discoursed familiarly untill ther arryveall at the
house, where his majestie was receaved at the
gate by the lady and two of her daughters. What
intertainement his majestie receaved from the
captaine and his lady, and kyndenesse from ther
beautifull daughter upon his amorous addresse
to her, is noe part of that which I have in hand ;
yet I am apt to believe, from severall. circum-
stances and papers that I have seen, that this
interview proceeded noe farther then to useher
the way and give opportunitie to these more
particular and privat favoures his majestie re-
ceaved eftirward from this lady in the same
house. Whatever wer the intyseing motives
that prevailed over her vertue, and brought her
to the king's imbracement, was best knoune to
herself; and although noe act of this nature be
warrantable before God, yet much may be said
to take off the reproach, and justifie her to the
world. It was her king, not a subject, that made
love to her ; a gallant young prince, for persone
and parts the world then had not the better ;
laying asyde his dignitie and that supreme orbe
wherin he moved. One of meaner degree, with
half of these qualificationes wherwith this royall
king was indued, might have prevailled much
upon the budding affectiones of a tender virgin.

$82 MEMORIE OF

unacquainted with the blandishment of great
ones, and the intertainements of a royall court,
wherinto your court ladyes are soe accustomed
to addresses of persones of eminency, that they
can putt off or conferre ther privat favores as
ther interest or inclinatione leades them ; and
yet if they trip, you shall not know it, or if you
doe, you must not divulge it, unlesse you be
desperately resolved to forfault both your life
and fortune to the fury of ther amoures. Be-
sydes these inducements and her father's inte-
rest, she might have before her eyes the exam-
ple of Elizabeth Moore, Rowallane's daughter,
who bare to King Robert the Second three sones,
long before her marriage ; and at lenth, notwith-
standing of the king's haveing two sones in mar-
riage by the Earle of Rosse's daughter, she dy-
ing, and herself taken to be his queen, her sones
was reputed and declared righteous successores
to the croune, and that by consent of parlia-
ment.

These reasones, with the splendent aspect of
royall majestie, backed with a soveraigne power,
might prevaill much upon this innocent lady,
and inclyne her to a complyance, as not weill
knowing how to refuise the kynde offeres of soe
obleidgeing a prince, the effects wherof, in four

THE SOMERVILLS. 383

yeares tyme, made her mother of two boyes and
ane daughter to the king, both of them eftirward,
in Queen Marye's reign e and King Jamese's,
made earles, the one of Orknay ' and the other
of Bothwell ; and for the daughter, she was
nobly marry ed to the Earle of Argyle, being
ever in great favour with Queen Mary dureing
her reigne.

The king haveing continued att the castle of
Crawfuird untill Tuesday, he goes unto Biggar,
and from thence he comes to Peebles, accom-
panyed only with these that had waitted from
Edinburgh upon him, and these that attended
the Lord Somervill, who was still with his ma-
jestie dureing the tyme the king resided att
Peebles, which was two dayes. Haveing there
appoynted a Justice Air for the tryall of some
malefactores, here his majestie's being in the
countrey was first divulged and publictly made
knoune, wherupon a great confluence both of

1 This is a mistake. Robert, Prior of Holyrood-house, after-
wards Earl of Orkney, was natural son of James V. by Euphe-
mia, daughter of Lord Elphinstone. By Katharine Carmichael
the king had, as is mentioned in the text, John, Prior of Cold-
ingham, who, by marrying the heiress, and by the favour of
the crown, obtained the honours and estate of Bothwell ; as
also Janet, married to the Earl of Argyle.

384 MEM0R1E OB'

nobilitic and gentrie comes to waitt upon him.
Then the king, with demonstrationes of great
favour, dismissed the Lord Somervill, that his
privat progresse which he had made might be
the lesse knoune or suspected, who being re-
turned to Cowthally, settes himself about the
ordering of his privat affaires. Ther being now,
eftir some litle stirrings betwext England and
Scotland, mainly upon the Earle of Angus' ac-
compt, who was then banished, a peace con-
cluded betwext the two realmes, dureing the
two princes lyves, and ane year eftir the decease
of him who should first depart this life ; by rea-
sone wherof, and the peaceable reigne of this
king, untill the very last year therof, ther had
not been any tyme wherin might have proven
ther privat fortunes more then from the year
1530, untill the year 1542, which was the year
of this king's death. But albeit the state was in
1533. Peace> ye^» about this tyme, ther began e a warre
in the church, which continued untill this day ;
for in this year, in the isleand of Brittane begane
the sectaries of the ecclesiasticall doctrine and
authoritie to be laid open to the view of the
world, the pollitick governement of kingdomes
begane to suffer in the alteratione and discovery,
which being obvious to all that will peruse the

THE SOMERVILLS. 385

histories of the severall nationes of Europe, and
particularly that of our oune, in soe far as con-
cernes the church and state affaires, written by
that learned prelate Bishope Spotswood, who is
soe full and copious in all the concernes and
transactiones of these tymes, that ther cannot
be a farther discovery made ; and it wer great
impertinency and vanitie in me to resume any
thing that is written by that author, who am but
recording the memories of a privat familie.

In the later end of the year 1536, the Lord 1536.
Somervill haveing three years before setled his
eldest daughter, marryes now his second, named
Marjorie, eftir his mother, upon the Laird of
Drummelzeor, the cheif of the Tweedies, as
eminent a barrone, and of as great command as
any in Tweddale. To this marriage his majestie
in a manner invited himself. Being now re-
solved to repaire the reputatione of his beloved
mistres, and provyde for her future liveing and
honour, himself at this tyme designeing to match
with the house of France. Wherefore being
come to Cowthally the thretteinth day of No-
vember, 1536, dureing the tyme of this marriage
his mistres Katharine Carmichaell being there,
and now in the twentieth and second year of her

2 b

3S6 MEMORIE OF

age, the king profferes severall marriages to her
of these that wer his wairdes at the tyme, but
she rejected them all, haveing allready placed
her affectione upon young Cambusnethen, then
present att this marriage, ane eminent barrone,
both for qualitie and estate, honourably descend-
ed, being a grand childe of the house of Mon-
trose, and the second great branche of the house
of Cowthally, inferior to non at that tyme upon
Clyde for respect and worship. What course
the king took to accomplish this marriage, or
what portione Cambusnethen receaved with her,
I know not, but it is certane, as this lady was
fortunate, soe was young Cambusnethen most
happy in this marriage. Never two lived more
contentedly then they did ; and ther was all the
reasone in the world for it, laying aside her beau-
ty, then in the prime, being in the twentieth and
second year of her age. Her virtue and modestie
was so conspicuous to all, that in a few years she
became a paterne to all her nighboures ladyes
for thrift and good house wife ; and albeit ther
was many invitationes given her to appear att
court, dureing this king's reigne, for her hus-
band's advancement and her oune honour, being
the mother of two sones and one daughter to the

THE SOMERVILLS. 387

king, yet lent she ane deaff ear the-rto, and was
offended with any that was urgent in her goeing
to court upon these grounds, asserting she had
honour enough in being Cambusnethen's lady,
and her husband a sufficient estate to maintaine
him in the ranke and qualitie he was in then.
Neither doe I find that ever the king saw this
lady eftir his oune and her marriage but once,
and that was at the baptisme of her eldest sone,
at Cambusnethen, whose name his majestie was
pleased to take to himself, by calling him James,
all preceeding of that familie being named John;
and this occasione fell out more then a year and
a half eftir her marriage. Severall other children,
in thretteinth years tyme that she lived with
Cambusnethen, she bore to him, but ther names
I find not, except of two sones and one daughter.
Her eldest sone being James, was nicknamed
the Laird with the Velvit Eye, the other Robert.
Her daughter, falling under the hands of a step-
mother, was meanly marryed to Gawin Hamil-
ton of the Nether Hilles. Thus far I have di-
gressed in vindicatione of this excellent lady,
that it may appear it was nether her choyse nor
any vitious habite that prevailled over her chas-
titie, but ane ineviteabie fate that the strongest

388 MEMORIE OF

resistance could hardly withstand. 1 Her Testa-
ment I have by me, dated the tenth of March,
1550, which was the year she dyed in, and de-
clares her to be also much a good Christian, as
it confirmed all that was said of her vertue and
frugalitie.

The king being gone to France, in order to
his marriage, wherin severall of the nobilitie did
accompany him, the Lord Somervill remained
att Cowthally, and continued his wonted hospi-
tality to all comers ; but haveing heard of the
king's being at sea, and that his majestie was
shortly expected in Scotland with his young
queen, he came with others to attend his landing
at Leith. Before this the king had sent and de-
syred the lords of his secret counsell to advertise
such of the nobilitie as mynded to waitt upon
the queen, or visite the court at first, to putt
themselves and servants in better equipage then
was in use in that age, and withall to conforme
themselves somewhat both to the fashiones and
customes of more civillized nationes. These di-

T This is anticipating the indulgent maxim of Prior

" That when weak women go astray,

" Their star* are more in fault than they."

THE SOMERVILLS. 389

rcctiones of the king's most of the nobilitie ob-
served ; but ther was non soe punctuall of his
majesties commands, and exceeded in sumptu-
ous cloathing, then Hugh Lord Somervill ; al-
beit he did it upon designe, yet himself, his
posteritie, yea, and this present Earle of Carn-
wath, or whosoever shall be proprietar of the
lands and barronie of Carnwath, suffered for this
frollicke, in being lyable for ane yearly annuitie
of three score punds Scots out of that barronie
to the world's end, the same being mortified1 by

to the
Magdalen Chappell.* I was once of the opinione,
that this had been done upon some religious ac-
compt, by one of the barrones or lords of the
house of Cowthally, untill I saw the mortifica-
tione ; and then I understood this Lord Hugh
had borrowed money from

and given him a propper

* Granted in mort-main.

* The clothes and livery must have been sufficiently sump-
tuous, when an annual grant of this extent was only adequate
to their value. This was with a vengeance

a a bond entered into
" For gay apparel 'gainst the triumph day."

Shakspeare.

390 MEMORIE 01*

wodsett, which he eftirward mortifieing to the
said chappell, Lord Hugh ratifies the same by
his consent to remaine for ever, and soe it con-
tinues till this day.

The king and queen being arryved att Leith
upon the twentieth and nynth of May, in the
year 1537, it is reported that eftir the queen
putt her foot upon the shoar, upon her knees she
kissed the ground, praying for all happinesse to
the countrey and people. Never a queen, in soe
short a tyme, was soe beloved of her husband,
nor sooner made conqueist of the hearts of her
subjects ; but she lived not many weekes eftir
her arryveall in Scotland, when of a fever she
contracted in June, and departed this life in
Jully the r eftir.1 She was buryed, sayes Drum-

1 " And when tfic queen came in Scottish ground, she bowed
and inclined herself to the earth, and took the muilds thereof
and kissed ; syne thanked God that he had brought her safely
through the sea with her husband to their own country ; syne
past to the abbay of Holyrood-house, to the king's palace, there
to remain till her triumph of entress was made, which began to
provide in all parts of Scotland; and specially in Edinburgh.
Leith, Dundee, Breichin, Montrose, Aberdeen, St Johnstoun,
Stirling, Glasgow, Air, Lithgow, St Andrews, and Cowpar in
Fife. Thir worthy and principal towns that were commanded
to make provision and triumph for the king's coming and his
receipt; but nevertheless their joy was soon altered, and mer-
"inesd turned to sadness and mourning, for displeasure of the

THE SOMERVILLS. 391

t mond, with the greatest mourning Scotland ever,
till that tymc, was participant of, in the church
of Hollyrude-house, neer King James the Se-
cond. However this great change of the court
from mirth to mourning, yet had all the nobili-
tie complyed with his majesties desyre in being
sumptuous in ther apparel when they appeared
att court. The Lord Somervill made noe great
haste to waitt upon the king, of purpose that he
might be more particularly taken notice off and
observed by his majestie, which accordingly suc-
ceeded ; for as he passed the great portch, which
is now the Duke of Hamiltone's lodgeing, to en-
ter the palace of Hollyrude-house, the king by
accident (being then ten in the morning) stand-
ing at that great light in his oune bed-chamber,
directly opposite to that entry, when the Lord
Somervill was comeing to kisse his hands, the
king, at first not knowing him, admired whom it

queen ; for she departed that same day forty days that she
landed, being the fifth of July ; and therefore all ther great
blythness and joy of her coming was turned in great mourn-
ing ; and all the play that should have been made was all turn-
ed in soul-masses and dirigies ; where through there zeid such
mourning through the country and lamentation, that it was
great pity for to see ; and also the king's heavy moan that he
made for her was greater than all the rest." — Pxtscottie.
p. 159.

39c2 MEMORIE OF

could be soe brave in his cloathes, and had not
attendance at his back save two pages in rich
livery ; the king called the Earles of Argyle and
Huntley, and enquyred at them if they knew
who it was, but they could not resolve him.
Wherupon Sir James Hamilton advanced, and
looking out, informed that his majestie was weill
enough acquainted with that persone, and would
quickly know him when he made his addresse.
By this tyme the Lord Somervill was entered
the chamber of presence which the king had re-
teired to, and nowT comeing to kisse his majes-
ties hands, the king prevented him before he
had gotten one word spocken, in raiseing him
up said, " My lord, you are very brave ; l but
where are all your men and usuall attendance ?"
The Lord Somervill, in kneelling again to kisse
his hands, quickly answeared, " If it please your
majestie, here they are," poynting to every lace
that was on his oune and his pages' cloathes.
Insinuating as much therby as if he had been
necessitat to sell them all to the merchants for
that rich suite. Whereat the king laughed hear-
tily, and then viewed them exactly, which, when

1 Scottice for gallant in apparel.

THE SOMERVILLS. 393

he had done, he bad away with them all, and let
us have your men againe. All the noblemen
was glad of this occasione, and made good com-
pany with the Lord Somervill, giving him thankes
that tlier brave cloathes had gotten ther leave,
for undoubtedly the effects would have been what
he had presaged to the king. This very suite of
my Lord SomervhTs, which occasioned all this
sport, was keeped by his sone, Lord James, his
grand-childe, Lord Hugh, and his great-grand-
childe, Hugh Somervill of Drum, untill by ac-
cident the house was brunt, wherewith his steell
coat, his head-peace, gantlet, gloves, and all
other furniture used in warre in those dayes was
brunt.

I find not much more of this nobleman until} 1540.
the year 1540, in which he marryed his eldest
sone James, master of Somervill, upon Agnes
Hamiltoun, daughter to Sir James Hamiltoun of
Finhard and Evendale, thesaurer of Scotland,
then in great favour with the king, who was
pleased to honour this marriage with his royall
presence, att the castle of Craignethen, where
the marriage was solemnized, as he did some
few monthes eftir the infare att Cowthally-house,
it being now the third tyme that I find, by the

391 MEMOKIE OF

baillzie and master houshold's compt-bookes,
that his majestic upon such solemne occasiones
had been intertained att Cowthally-house, be-
sydes his comeing more privatly, upon the ac-
count of his sport. This marriage being made
mostly upon court interest, continued not long ;
for Sir James Hamiltonc of Finhard, who be-
syd cs and before this interest had all way es, from
his very youth, been a constant freind to the fa-
milie of the Lord Somervilles, unhappily fell
under the king's displeasure ; and, in the year
154 1, being suspected of some practise as al-
leadged against the king's life, was execute and
foirfaulte, and the gift therof, soe farre as con-
cerned the fourtieth pund land of Libbertoune,
given to the Lord Somervill, which he retained
but some few years, the sone of Sir James being
restored by the Earle of Arrane, in the tyme of
his governement.
541. Cardinall Beatone ruleing now all affaires both
of church and state, as did Oliver Sinclaire, a
brother of the house of Rosseline, and relatione
of the house of Cowthally. The king's privat
favourite, being his great minion, guyded all
things at court, which discontented most of the
nobilitie, and made them backward to all the

THE SOMERVILLS. 395

king's designes, which occasioned that speech of
his majesties in calling them his mobilitie.1 What
this word may import I am yet to learne. How-
ever, the expeditione against England being now
on foot, some of the nobilitie ingadged, wherin,
amongst others, James, master of Somervill, made
one. I know both the English and Scots wrytters
designes him Lord Somervill, but this is only a
mistake in the title, by giveing that to the sone
which was yet the father's ; for albeit he outlived
this actione eight years, yet it is not probable he
could be there, being then in the sextieth year
of his age ; and if he was, which I am not apt to
beleive, it testifies a strong desyre he had to com-
ply with his prince's designe, and give exact
obedience to all his commands, in exposing his
old age to the hazard of a dangerous warre.*

1 Aliuding, it would seem, to the fickle aud inconstant de-
meanour of the Scottish nobles.

* There is no room for doubt upon this subject. Hugh Lord.
Somerville certainly was made prisoner at Solway Moss. He
was entertained in an honourable captivity in the house of the
lord chancellor, according to the hospitable custom of those
times ; and from the list of the captives and their pledges, pub-
lished in Lodge's Illustrations, we learn that his ransom was
rated at 4000 merks, for which he lodged pledges with the
Earl of Warwick. — See vol. I. p. 37- In the subsequent treaty
his ransom was lowered to 1000 merks. But when Lord Somer-
ville was dismissed, he was forced to leave his eldest son in

Ji>6 MEM01UE OF

Whither lather or sone, haveing given my
thoughts, I will not contend, seing the wrytters
of both kingdomes are positive that the Lord
Somervill was prisoner att Snlloway ; but this I
am sure off, he was detained prisoner1 three
years, for adhereing to the French interest, when
all the rest of the noblemen that was prisoners
for accepting the match with England was set at
Ubertie by Hendrie the Eight.* This same year

pledge for his return, as appears from a passage in Sadler.
This circumstance probably occasioned the mistake in the
text.

1 Lord Hugh was this prisoner.

* The battle of Solway Moss was fought 24th October, 1542 ;
and upon the 20th March following we find Lord Somerville
was returned to Scotland with the other nobility. He was
therefore certainly not detained three years in England ; and
that he was not more restive than his companions in embracing
the proposal for the English match, between the infant Mary
and Edward Prince of Wales, will appear from the following
conversation, narrated by Sadler, the English ambassador : —

" After supper, came to me to my lodging my Lord Somer-
vail, and told me, ' That things had not succeeded in all points
as he thought, and would they had; but yet there was no doubt
but all should well be.' I prayed him to tell me how, and in
what sort, he, with the rest of the lords and others that were
with your majesty, had proceeded since their home coming.
He told me, * That they were not all of one sort; for the Earl
of Bothwel was slipt from them, and calleth them English pri-
soners, and the Lord Fleming not all the best ; but the Earl of
Angus, though he be too much led and directed by his brother
George, was perfect good and assured, with also the Earls of

THE SOMERVILLS. 397

I have seen a charter of confirmatione granted
by Hugh Lord Somervill and Dame Janet Mait-
lane, which confirmes me that it could not be
the father, but the sone, that was at Sulloway,3
in favoures of a young gentleman, James Somer-

Cassilsand Glencairn, the Lords Maxwel and Gray. The rest,'
he said, * were but mean personages ; and before they came
home,' be said, ' there was a governor chosen, which some-
what changed their case.'

" And now,' he said, ' the ambassadors were despatched to
go to your majesty with ample power to conclude the marriage
and the peace; which done, all shall be well.' I asked him
whether they had also concluded that the child should be
brought into your majesty's hands ? He answered, ' that he
and they which stand on your majesty's part, would fain have
had it so, but the rest of the great lords (which were a great
number) would not agree to it ; but he trusted that some mean
would be devised therein for the time to please your majesty,
and the rest would also succeed in time.' I asked him how
they would conclude a peace with your majesty, that might
ever stand valeable to both their realms, when by their league
with France they are bound to the contrary, without reserva-
tion or exception of France ? Quoth he, * We will utterly leave
them, and go with you against France, which we may do with-
out offence of the league, for they have broken with us many
times, as we be able to prove. And,' quoth he, ' I would wish
to God that the marriage were once contracted, for that shall
bring all the rest of the king's purposes to pass, which cannot
otherwise be accomplished without great cumber; and,' he
said, * all the lords of your majesty's part were of the same opi-
nion.' This was communicated in effect." — Sadler's Letters,
vol- J. p. 72, quarto, Edin. 1809.

3 The author was not aware that Hugh Lord Somerville war
dismissed into Scotland, and his son substituted as a pledge in
his room, who most probably remained there for two or three
years.

398 MEMORIE OF

vill, who haveing marryed the relict of the Laird
of Gladstones, that had left only a daughter as
the heires of his estate, upon whom James, the
sone of Thomas, was marryed ; and thereby the
estate and land of Gladstanes came to the name
of Somervill, and continued soe untill this pre-
sent in a very hopefull conditione.

King Hendrie the Eight being incensed with
his nephew, King James the Fyfth, for not meet-
ing with him according to ther mutuall promises,
caused make pryzeall of some Scots ships, before
ther was any laufull warre proclaimed ; and fur-
ther gave orders to Sir Robert Bowes, the Earle
of Angus, and Sir George Douglas, in hostile
maner to invade Scotland. These, to the num-
ber of three thousand, ravage the countrey near
the debeatable boimdes. The Earle of Huntley,
having the king's commissione, assembles the
borderers, and falles upon the English and these
Scots that wer with them, att a place named
Haddenrig, beats them and puts them to flight,
and takes ther generall, Sir Robert Bowes, Sir
William Murray, James Douglas of Parkhead,
with a naturall sone of the Earle of Anguses, was
taken prisoners, the Earle himself escaping by
the swiftnesse of his horse. This skirmish fell
out the fourteinth day of August, 1541. King
Hendrie hearing of the defeat, sendes the old

THE SOMERVILLS. 399

Earle of Northfolke, whom he named Rod of the
Scots, to invade Scotland with ane armie, whom
the Earle of Huntley, upon advantages of places,
resisted the best he could, when they essayed to
crosse Tweed. In the mean tyme he advertises
the king, who quickly raised from all quarters of
his kingdome threttieth thousand men, and mus-
tered them upon Soutrasyde, and then encampes
them upon Falla muire, where he receaves intel-
ligence the duke designes his march for Edin-
burgh. Wherupon the king sends the Lords
Home, Seaton, Areskine, with a detatchment of
ten thousand men, to reinforce the Earle of
Huntley's forces ; but with expresse orders not
to fight, but to attend the duke's motione, him-
self expecting the artillarie and other furniture
of warre, remained with the bodie of his armie
in the campe att Falla. Dureing this tyme the
discontented lords plotted a refbrmatione of the
court, according to the example formerly prac-
tized att Lauder Bridge against King James the
Third ; but because they could not agree amongst
themselves, the king's favourites escaped the
danger.

The Duke of Northfolke haveing intelligence 1.542-
of such that favoured King Hendrie in the Scot-
tish campe, that the king had a mynde to meet
him jn open feild, reteires off the Scottish ground,

400 MEMOK1E OF

and keepes his ftbrces in tlier oune marches, fear-
ing the valour and resolutione of this young king-
might perhapes bereave him of his former pur-
chased laurelles. When the king understood the
duke had repassed Tweed, he encouraged his
army to follow him. The common souldiers wer
willing ; the noblemen refuised to fight except
upon Scots ground ; ane old pretext used by ther
predecessores, when they wer discontented with
ther king and his governement, which in effect
was frivolous, and lost them many fair opportu-
nity, as it did at this tyme. It is true, they gave
other reasones for ther refuisall, which you may
see at lenth in Dmmmond. However, the king
returnes to Edinburgh, disbandes his armie, but
forgettes not the secret plott against his favour-
ites, nor the open refuisall of his nobles to fight
in English ground. This bred ill humores in the
king towards his nobles, which to mollifie and
discusse, the Lord Maxwell offereth giveing him
ten thousand men to invade England att Sullo-
way, affirmeing the staite and fortune of these
who assail to be better then thers who are still
putt to ther defence. Tiie king thanked him for
his offer, appointed a rendezvouze at the west
marches. Noe proclamationes a e divulged for
lives of men, but closse letters sent to the Earles
of Cassilles and Glencairne j the Lords Fleym-

THE SOMERVILLS. 401

ing, Somervill, and Areskine ; Barrones Ay-
toune, Langtoune, Ormestoune, and Wauch-
toune. Many other, accompanyed with the king's
domesticks, rode to the west borders. In the
mean tyme the cardinall and the Earle of Arrane,
the one a churchman of a mynde above many
nobles, the other a nobleman of humilitie under
any churchman, (sayes Drummond,) to amuze
the English, and give false perspectives to these
proceedings, by sound of trumpet and beatting
of drumes, raises men openly, marches towards
Heddingtoune and the east borders. The great
expectatione the king had of the Lord Max-
welles undertaking made the king himself come
to Lochmaben to attend the event of this incur-
sione. The Scots borderers haveing passed the
watter Eske, burnes certane villages on the
marches. Wherupon Sir Thomas Warringtoune,1
wairden, was not a litle troubled at such a fre-
quent assembly of the Scottish riders. He raises
the power of the countrey, and placed them by
a litle hill in good order, where he might take a
view of the enemies forces. The Scottish lords
beholding the English in soe good order, desyres

Wharton.
Q C

402 MEMORIE OF

to know the king's lievetennent-generall, for now
he was to marshall ther companies, and putt them
in battallie, that every man might know his par-
ticular charge. Wherupon Oliver Sinclaire, upon
crosse pickes, mounted the king's banner dis-
played, the commissione read, in which he is
made lievetennent, and all commanded in the
king's name to obey and follow him. Upon this
a tumult and confused clamour and shouldering
of malcontents arose ; ther rankes wer brocken,
the militarie order turned into a confusione, non
soe repyneing as the Lord Maxwell, who being
the first mover of this expeditione, considered
himself hereby affronted.

The English, who wer ready now for the
fight, observeing this disorder, took the advan-
tage, and breakes forward with a military shout ;
whill the Scots are in doubt whither to flee or
fight. Here is a general surprize ; most part
willingly rendered themselves to the English
without any shew of defence, or the slaughter of
any persone upon either syde. The certainty of
this voluntary defeat comeing to the king at
Lochmaben, soe astonished all the powers of his
mynde, that he nether had counsell nor resolu-
tione what to follow. Comeing to Edinburgh,
he passed to FyrTe, and from Hallyairds to Falk-

THE SOMERVILLS. 403

land, where he gave himself over to sorrow. Noe
man had accesse unto him, noe, not his oune
domesticks. Long watching, cares and passione,
abstinency from food and recreatione, had soe
extenuate his bodie, he remained fixt to his bed
untill the thretteinth day of December, 1542.
He left this world in the threttieth and third year
of his age, and threttieth and second of his
reigne. See his character in Drummond. All
that I have to say is, that ther was never any
subject had more of his prince's favour and lesse
of his benefites, then the Lord Somervill had of
this king, notwithstanding that he had been fre-
quently intertained by him as his guest. It is
true, the honour was great in haveing his majes-
tie witnes to the marriage of three of his child-
ren, and that he took upon himself to be a me-
diator and composer of all differences and con-
traversies that was betwext this lord and the
laird of Cambusnethen, as may be seen in the
submissione to this king, and his majestie's de-
creit arbitrall in anno 1532. Which decreit was
eftirward made use of by the lairds of Cambus-
nethen in ther defence against the Lord Somer-
vill, when he persewed for the redemptione of
the lands in Louthian.

James, master of Somervill, being returned 1545

404 MEMORIE OF

from his captivitie out of England this year, 1545,
his father, to congratulate his sone's returne, in
June marryes his youngest daughter, who in
Apryle preceeding had been contracted upon
the Laird of Carmichaell, governour of the bor-
ders, in king James the Sexth his minoritie, and
dureing some part of his reigne, in which im-
ployment he continued untill his death.1 It was

1 The author either was ignorant of, or suppressed, his an-
cestor's share in the intrigues for bringing about the match
with England. Sadler, an excellent judge of mankind, seems
to have entertained the highest opinion of Lord Soraerville's
talents, and frequently advised with him during the course of
his intricate negociation. He always represents him as faithful
to the English interest. The following observations conclude
a conversation which Sadler held with the Earl of Cassilis and
Lord Somerville. — " For our part, quoth they, we be resolved
to meet here altogether, at such time as we think we shall hear
word again from the ambassadors. And then if we perceive
that the king's majesty stands upon any reasonable point that
we have promised, we shall do that lies in our powers to satisfy
his majesty, and let him be reproved that shall fail his promise.
This, I assure your majesty, the Earl of Cassils spake very
frankly, and the Lord Somervail affirmed the same. I take
them both to be very plain and true gentlemen to your majes-
ty ; but I fear their power, as I can perceive, accordeth not
with their good wills. Once, they will serve your majesty to
the uttermost they can against all nations, as they have affirm-
ed unto me. And the Lord Somervail, as he was going from
me, whispered in mine ear, ' That if your majesty did stand
fast upon your promise, there was no doubt you should obtain
it, for they were not able to maintain the wars against your

THE SOMERVILLS. 405

at this marriage that Hugh Somervill, youngest
sone to Hugh Lord Somervill, gained the affec-

majesty." — Sadler's State Papers, Edin. 1809, 4to. vol. I.
p. 97.

Neither did this attachment to the English pause go unre-
warded, for Lord Somerville was gratified with no less a sum
than two hundred merks out of the money distributed by Sad-
ler among those nobles who had embraced his master's inte-
rest. In return for this donation, he obliged the ambassador
with his advice on the best mode of invading Scotland by sea
and land. — Sadler, vol. I. p. 178. When the Earl of Lennox,
then in the French interest, garrisoned the castle of Dumbar-
ton against the governor, Somerville attended the army which
was assembled for the reduction of that important fortress.
Even after the governor had revolted from the English interest,
Somerville, with Angus, Glencairn, Cassilis, and Maxwell, en-
tered into a bond to abide by each other, and signified to Sad-
ler their determination to see the treaty with England per-
formed, or otherwise to serve Henry according to their pro-
mise, to the uttermost of their power. And at a meeting of
these associated barons, held at the castle of Douglas, in Oc-
tober, 1543, they resolved to dispatch Lord Somerville to Eng-
land, to treat with Henry on their behalf. But in attempting
this journey he was made prisoner by the opposite party, and
confined first in Edinburgh castle, and then in that of Black-
ness, upon a charge of having accepted a commission from the
confederated lords to the court of England, treating of treason-
able matters. To the honour of Lord Somerville it should be
mentioned, that his letters having given him credence for what
he was to state verbally, no threat of the governor, though the
torture was spoken of, could make him betray the trust reposed
in him, so far as it did not appear from the papers seized oi^
his person—See Sadler, vol. I. p. 201, 289, 297, 327. Lord
Somerville was probably released from confinement when An-
gus, Maxwell, and the other lords of the English faction, who

406 MEMORIE OF

tione of a daughter of Drummelzeor's, who had
accompanyed her sister-in-law to this wedding,
upon whom, with the consent of all her freinds,
he was aftirwards marryed, and had from his
father, as his patrimony, the Spittell Maynes,
the third of Newbigging, four oxengate of land
in Ranstruther, with severall other roumes with-
in the barronie of Carnwath. This gentleman
was the first of the house of Spittell, whose sone
marryed a daughter of the Earle of Monteithe's,
and his grandchilde a daughter of the house of
Stainbyres. It continues in the male lyne untill
this day, the gentleman who is now possessor
therof being the fyfth from Hugh, the youngest
sone of Hugh Lord Somervill, not compting two
other brothers, the one wherof, named William,
that was killed by the Livingstounes of New-
bigging, and left noe male successione ; and the
other, William, the uncle of him who now is,
that was never marryed.

I have litle more to say of this nobleman, but
that in the later end of his dayes he saw the

had also been seized by the governor, were set at liberty,
after the violent proceedings of Henry, and the burning of
Leith by his army under Hertford, had united the Scottish no-
bility of all parties in opposition to his views.

THE SOMERVILLS. 407

house of Cambusnethen in its meridian, by ther
oune and ther daughter's marriages, of whom I
will have occasione to speak more in his sone,
Lord James his memorie. All his children being
now marryed and setled in ther oune houses,
except his second sone John, of whom I have
noe certanty to wryte ; for that conjecture of
his being marryed in England with a very an-
cient familie, and that it was he who, in anno
157 1, * being instigated by one Hall, a seminarie
preist, attempted to murder Queen Elizabeth,
for which being imprisoned in the Tower, he
was found dead the day before he should have
been execute. It is true, ther was a gentleman
of that name and sirname that the English
wrytters makes mentione of, attempted against
the life of the queen ; but whether he was of the
ancient English extractione or Scottish, I will
not take upon me to determine/ Neither will I

' Note by the late Lord Somerville. — It was the ancestor of
William Somerville of Warwickshire, the remains of whose for-
feiture was the estate of the said William Somerville, who died
in the year 1742.

2 Note by the late Lord Somerville. — Of the English ex-
traction, and that early after their coming into England, by
writings belonging to that family in Lord Somerville's posses-
sion.

1

408 MEMORIE OF

be positive to assert the contrary, but that the
same gentleman might be John Somervill, se-
cond sone to Hugh Lord Somervill, for he was
bred and brought up a zealous Roman catho-
licke ; and at this very tyme which the English
wrytters condescends upon was about the thret-
tieth and third year of his age ; and it's very pro-
bable if this gentleman, sone to the Lord Somer-
vill, had continued in Scotland, I should have
seen some evidences and wryttes wherin his
name would have been mentioned ; but I have
heard nor seen non, except that charter of con-
firmatione granted to the Laird of Gladstones
by Hugh Lord Somervill, wherein this gentleman
is designed John Somervill, also our sone. What
other children the Lord Somervill and dame
Janet Maitlane, his lady, had besyde these,
James, John, and Hugh, and three daughters,
the Lady Cookpool, the Lady Drummelzeor,
and the Lady Carmichaell, I know not. Ther
is some affirmes ther was a sone and daughter
more, one Richard, named eftir his uncle, Sir
Richard Maitlane of Leidingtoune, and a young-
er daughter, marryed upon Sir James Lindsay
of Pittardie ; but I have noe evidence of these
to continue the truth of the assertione. Whither
Hugh Lord Somervill, or his lady dame Janet
Maitlane, dyed first, I cannot be certane ; but that.

THE SOMERVILLS. 409

they both dyed about, or in the year 1550, is
evident from wryttes yet extant. They lye in-
terred within the collegiate church of Carnwath,
under a handsome monument supporting ther
effigies.

Off James Lord Somervill, the Thretteinth Barrone
of Lintoune, the tenth of Carrvwath, the seventh
Lord Somervill, the Seventeinthfrom Sir Ganl-
ter, and of Red- Bag, the Second Barrone of
Cambusnethen.

James, now Lord Somervill, succeeded his fa- 1550.
ther, Lord Hugh, in the year 1550. The estate
at this tyme was in a declyneing conditione, be-
cause of the great expences and charges the fa-
ther of this nobleman had been at for his houses
keeping ; but that which drew the greatest bur-
den upon it was his brethren's patrimonies, and
the great portiones given to his sisters, all which
had made his father contract debts which he left
upon the estate, as did this young nobleman
himself dureing his three years imprisonement
in England. Soe soon as he returned from
that captivitie, in complyance with his father's
commands and his oune inclinatione, he adhered

410 MEMORIE OF

to the queen's factione, Mary Dowager of Scot-
land, who, by the governour Hamiltones dimitt-
ing in her favoures, was regent and governesse
of Scotland, who, with the assistance of the car-
dinall her counsellor, ordered all affaires in church
and state, in oppositione to the Earl of Angus,
who, efter King James his death, had returned
into Scotland, as did Matthew Earle of Lennox
out of France, to be a competitor and counter-
poser to the house of Hamiltone. He came
-home, being put in hope by the queen dowager
to be made governour ; but when he saw himself
deluded, and Beatone preferred to the govern-
ment, he began to make a strong partie against
the cardinall and governour, who had not yet di-
mitted in the queen's favoures ; but at lenth, by
the cardinalls wylles, he was drawen to a parley,
where, finding they had a mynde to intrape him,
he flies in the night first to Glasgow, then to
Dumbarton, and at last to England ; where he
was receaved and intertained by King Hendrie
the Eight, who gave him his sister daughter by
the Earle of Angus to wife. On her he begott
Hendrie Lord Darnley, who eftirward was mar-
ryed to Queen Mary of Scotland, on whom he
begott King James the Sexth. These occur-
rences, with the Earle of Angus his returne, ther

THE SOMERVILLS. 411

agreement with the Hamiltones, and the seve-
rall factiones of that tyme with the civill broylles
that proceeded therupon, are soe fully spocken
to by our historians, and the author of the histo-
ric of the Douglasses, that I passe them all, but
where this nobleman whose memoir I now wryte
was particularly concerned ; for, as his father,
dureing the eight years he lived eftir King James
the Fyfths death, had still been of the queen's
factione, soe he all the tyme of his life still ad-
hered to the queen mother the dowager, and her
daughter, against the lords of the combinatione/
and that meerly out of a principle of obedience
and loyaltie, (the supreme right being in ther
persones) then because of ther religione, albeit
it be true he lived and dyed a Roman Catho-
licke, and was the last of the family of Cowthal-
)y of that professione.

This Lord James service and retour I have 155'
not, nor one paper in my custody makeing men'
tione of his name, soe that but within these few

How much the author is mistaken concerning the politics
of Hugh Lord Somerville, appears from our former notes upon
these Memoirs. But it would seem he was right in supposing
that his successor James adhered to the party of Queen Mary
of Lorraine, since we find him employed as an agent between
that princess, when regent, and the Duke of Chatelherault.

412 ^lEMORIE OF *

years, I was of the opinione, that all the last
three lords preceding Lord Gilbert, had been of
the name of Hugh, till I was convinced of the
contrary by the evidences and wryttes of these
gentlemen that held ther lands of the Lord So-
mervill, particularly by a charter granted to
James Somervill of Gladstones, by his father
Lord Hugh, wherin, being a witnes, he is de-
signed " James Somervill, son and appearing heir
to me the said Lord Somervill :" And in the year
1555, in a charter granted by himself to James
Deunie of Westfald, he is designed " James Lord
Somervill." But I need not insist upon this, se-
ing it is putt beyond all doubt, by the present
Earle of Carnwath's progresse upward to the last
Lord John, this lord's uncle, in whose favoures
the new infeftment was granted, and the waird
holding changed to blenche, by King James the
Fourth, in anno 1500, wherin this Lord James is
reckoned the third from him.

Being marryed very young upon Agnes Ha-
miltone, daughter to Sir James Hamilton of
Finhard, in the year 1540, being then himself
about the age of twentieth or twentieth and one,
dureing his father's life he had still lived in the
tower of Carnwath ; but he being dead he remo-
ved to Cowthally House. Some three years ef-

THE SOMERVILLS. 4 ] $

tir this, John Somervill, the second laird of Cam-
busnethen, nicknamed the Laird with the Red-
bag, dyed. This gentleman had lived from his
father's death, Sir John of Quathquan, to his oune,
allmost in a perpetual feed with the house of
Cowthally, and that by reasone of these lands
they held of the Lord Somervill within the bar-
ronie of Carnwath ; and this feed became eftir
him hereditary, both upon that head and an-
other of greater moment, which shall be spocken
to eftirwards. However, this gentleman over-
came all the troubles of his youth, lived honour-
ably, haveing the happynes to see his sone twice
marryed, his eldest daughter honourably matcht,
first upon the Lord Fleyming, whose estate this
lady heirs, eftirward in her widowhead she mar-
ryes the Earle of Rothes, to whom she bore se-
verall children. Her eldest daughter being re-
markeable for her beautie, was marryed upon the
laird of Lochleven, unto whom she bore seven
daughters, who being grandchildren to this lady,
wer the wonder of the age wherin they lived,
both for vertue and beautie, and other commend-
able qualities requisite in that sex. Ther worth
and excellent perfectione made them admired of
all, and sought in by the greatest, being daugh-
ters to the laird of Lochleven, ane eminent bar.

414 MEMORIE OF

rone, predecessor to the present Earle of Mor-
toune, grand children to the Earle of Rothes,
and great grand children to Cambusnethen. The
eldest of these ladyes was marryed to the Lord
Lindsay, the second to the Earle of Argyle, the
third to the Earle of Erroll, the fourth to the
Earle of Orknay, the fyfth to the Earle of Atholl
Stewart. On whom the other two was marryed
I know not ; but that there was seven of them is
certaine ; for they are yet named the Seven Fair
Porches of Lochleven. By the former and suc-
ceeding marriages the house of Cambusnethen
became very remarkeable and strong in friend-
ship, wherby they outwent by farre in friendship
and allyance the familie of Cowthally. And now
that I may finish all that I have to say of Read-
bag and his successione, his second daughter was
marryed upon the laird of Cleghorne, Lockhart,
whose posterity remaines till this day : His
youngest daughter marryed the Laird of West-
raw, being mother to James Johnstoune of West-
erhall, that stout asserter of his chiefes interest,
and the Laird of Mainnesses, in whose just quar-
relles and his oune defence he committed many
slaughters, being one of the famousest border
riders in his tyme, of whom I shall discourse fur-
ther in the succeeding age. This gentleman

THE SOMERVILLS. 415

Red-bag left a second sone, named William, to
whom he gave a fourtie shilling land in the ne-
ther toune of Cambusnethen, of whose succes-
sione I can say nothing. Thus farre I have di-
gressed to give a full account of the familie of
Cambusnethen, so farre as concerned Red-bag,
who, dying in the later end of the year 1553, his
sone, named the Laird with the Plaides, was ser-
ved heir to his father att Edinburgh, the fyfteinth
day of January, 1554.

Having given this account of the familie of 155S.
Cambusnethen, I returne to James Lord Somer-
vill, who saw much of Read-bag's life, and of his
sones, the Laird with the Plaides, with whom,
notwithstanding of the fathers animosities and
quarrells, he keeped a good correspondency un-
till a notable accident, neerthe later end of ther
dayes, brocke all friendship till both of them was
in a maner extinct as to ther fortunes and ho-
noures, which shall be declared in its place. In
the year 1558, the Lord Somervill was much af-
flicted with the bad report that he heard of his
cousine Alexander Somervill of Trabrax, who
haveing dilapidated most of his fortune, wodselt
the roume1 of Trabrax to one Thomas French,

■ — -- ,. —- ■■■■ ■ 1- ■ ... ■ ■ i '■ ■ ■ ■■— — ■■ t

1 Portion of land.

416 MEMORIE OP

The Laird of Cambusnethen being superior, as
he held the same of the Earle of Douglasse, that
roume being a part of the barronie of Dunsyre,
Camnethen for a time withstood that right ; but
by the mediatione of James Lord Somervill, all
differences was composed att Cowthally,the twen-
tieth and third of September, 1556 j about which
tyme this gentleman, Alexander Somervill, by
the Lord Somervilles interest with the Bishope
of Saint Andrewes,1 obtaines that service, belie-

1 James Hamilton, natural brother to the Earl of Arran, arch-
bishop of St Andrews. In 1558, he apprehended and tried
Walter Milne, an aged priest, for heretical opinions, and ha-
ving condemned him in his spiritual court, delivered him over
for execution to the temporal arm.

" After this, the bishop condemned him of heresy, and kept
him two days ; because they could not get a criminal judge to
condemn him to death. Then the bishop sent for the provost
of the town, being, for the time, bailie of the regality, and de-
sired him to execute him to death, as being condemned of he-
resy. * I will (said the provost) do any thing that pertains to
my office, according to justice, at your lordship's command:
But for the innocent servants of God, and preachers of his
word, I will not meddle with them.' The bishop said, ' Provost,
you are bailie of my regality, and ought to judge all such a6
transgress within my bounds.' — ' Yes, (replied the provost) and
if your lordship please, I will take him, and give him a fair as-
size of temporal men, who perhaps will absolve him.' ' I am
content (said the bishop) you do so, and make me quit of him
any way you please.' But some wise men, who were friends to
the provost, shewed him that it was perilous to absolve a man
condemned of heresy by the clergy already. The provost, con-

THE SOMERVILLS. 41 7

ving it might be a mean to preserve the remain-
der of his brocken fortune ; but that unhappy act
of condemneing Walter Milne as ane heretick to
the fyre, he himself being noe temporall judge
for the tyme, but ofticiouslie intrudeing himself
in that office, to ingratiate himself more in his
masters favour, lost quyte his oune reputatione
in the countrey, the good will of all his friends,
particularly his chieffe, the Lord Somervill, who
although ther was non more zealous that way,
yet he abhorred that rigiditie, and all persecu-
tion e upon the account of opinione, especially in
him who had no call therto, nor was concerned
as a judge in that proces against Walter Milne,
who was the last in Scotland that suffered upon

sidering this, desired the biship to give him leisure to advise
till the morn ; which having obtained, the next day, early in
the morning, he departed off the town.

" The bishop, being frustrated in this manner, sought up and
down a long time for one to be judge, and could find none; till
at length he took one of his own court, named Alexander So-
mervel, a man void of all honesty, religion, or fear of God ; who
sat in judgement and condemned him to the death. But the
merchants, for the love of this poor servant of God, had hid all
the tows, and all other things which might serve for his execu-
tion. He was burnt on the north side of the Abbey-kirk." —
Pitscottie's History, Jbl. p. 200.

1 On the subject of Walter Milne's execution, the learned

2D

418 3IEM0RIE OF

that account.1 However, this gentleman Alex-
ander Somervill continued in his service all the
tyme of the queen regent's gouernment, untill
the year 1560 ; dureing which time he had gain-
ed some money, wherby he redeemed his estate
and lived at home in peace, but without any cre-
dit or respect either from his oune friends or
strangers. The grand childe of this gentleman
having marryed Margaret Somervill, only childe
to James Somervill of Spittell, who had been un-
fortunately killed by some of the Livingstounes
in Newbigging, at the opening of his oune gaitt,
for which two of them was hanged by the last
Hugh Lord Somervill, this accident falling out
in his tyme. The grand childe of this Alexan-
der Somervill of Trabrax, being none of the
wysest, contracted much debt in a few years,
and then dyed, leaveing his wife a young widow,

and accurate biographer of John Knox has observed : — " This
barbarous and illegal execution produced effects of the great-
est importance. It raised the horror of the nation to an incre-
dible pitch; and as it was believed, at that time, that the re-
gent was not accessory to the deed, their indignation was di-
rected wholly against the clergy. Throwing aside all fear, and
those restraints which prudence, or a regard to established or-
der, had hitherto imposed on them, the people now assembled
openly to join in the reformed worship, and avowed their de-
termination to adhere to it at all hazards." — Life of John Knox.

THE SOMERVILLS. 419

who eftir wards marryed one James Dean, who,
by his wife's joynture, and buying some of these
debts that was upon the estate, acquyred the
propperty to himself and his heirs : How it re-
turned to the house of Cambusnethen I know
not ; but of late years it was sold by Sir James
Somervill to the Laird of Cleghorne, and left by
him to his eldest sone of a second marriage, with
the house of Correhouse.1 This gentleman's or-
dinate designatione was either of Trabrax or

4

Herperfeild, but more frequently knoune and
designed by Commissioner Lockhart.

All the kingdome being in ane consternatione,
church and state overturned by popular tumults,
the queen regent with the French forces and
such of the nobilitie as ouned her interest, made
head against the lords of the congregatione ; and,
to facilitat the way, the queen and court emit-
ted furth a proclamatione, accuseing them of
crymes of the highest nature. But the lords
was not behind hand with the queen in this mat-
ter ; for, both by letters to the queen, and open
proclamatione to the people, they vindicate them-

1 In the Supplement to Douglas's Baronage, George, Laird
of Trabrax, is stated to be the fourth son of Allan Lockhart of
Cleghorn, by his marriage with Elizabeth, sister to Lord Ross.

420 MEMORIE OF

selves, how truely I shall not judge ; but this4 may
be asserted from the experience of this countrey,
and our late troubles, they did cast the coppie
which our presbiterean reformers followed exact-
ly. Ther being soe much of this abroad allrea-
dy, it wer needlesse for me to light a candle att
the twelth hour of the day ; they that runnes
may read ; for these that are blinded by

opinion or interest, the clearest sun-
shine will serve them in noe steed. This busi-
nes at lenth comeing to a tryst, ther was appoynt-
ed to meet at Prestoune for the queen, the Duke1
of Huntley, Areskine, Somervill, and the Abbot
of Kilwinning; for the congressione, Argyle,
Glencairne, Ruthven, Boyd, and Ohiltree, the
Lairds of Doune and Pittardie. This tryst
brocke up at that tyme, and ther was nothing
done, both parties standing upon ther defence.
However, shortly thereftir, upon the queens
comeing to Edinburgh and recovering the cas-
tle, the former propositione was aggreed unto,
and soe remained untill the year 1560. The
Lord Somervill receaved advertisement to attend
the ensueing parliament that was to sitt in Au-
gust.

' It should be the Earl of Huntley.

THE SOMERVILLS. 421

This year, 1560, being come, and the parlia- 156a
ment to sitt for establishing the protestant reli-
gione, the Lord Somervill resolved to keep the
dyet, albeit he was fullie determined to dissent
from the lords of the congressione, as to what
concerned any alteratione in religione, and ac-
cordingly did soe ; for the confessione of faith
being read in open parliament, he, with the Earle
of Atholl and Lord Borthwick, dissented from
that act, saying, they would only believe as ther
fathers before them had believed.'

In the year 1567, James Lord Somervill, as a 1567.
constant adherer to the queen mother, dureing
the tyme of her government, soe now her daugh-
ter Mary being upon the throne, he was still of
her party in oppositione to all them that disturb-
ed her governement ; for haveing receaved a let-
ter from the assemblie of the church, that was
to sitt upon the twentieth of Jully, 1567, wherin,
he was desyred to give his personal! presence att
Edinburgh the forsaid day, for giveing his ad-
vyce, councell, and concurrance, in matters there
to be proponed, especially for purgeing ther re-
ligione from popery, the establishing of the po-
lice of the church, and restoreing the patrimonie

■ See Knox's History, p. 253.

422 MEMORIE OF

therof to the just possessores. These general!
letters, with the instructiones given to the com-
missioner that was divided to the lords of the
queen's factione, and what expectatione they
had is at large to be seen in Spotswood. For
the Lord Somervill, he gave a flatt denyall, po-
sitively refuseing to meet at the assemblie, or to
countenance any of ther proceedings in church
or state, soe long as his soveraigne was under re-
straint ; and accordingly he lived att home un-
1568. till the next year, 1568, upon the third of May
that he reccavcd a letter from the Lord Seatoune,
to whose daughter Helenor Seatoune he had late-
ly marryed his eldest sone Hugh, Master of So-
mervill. The contents of the letter wer, that the
queen was escaped from Lochleven, and was now
with him at his castle of Nidderie, in West Lou-
thian, her intentione was for Hamiltoune, where
her majestie mynded to remaine untill these of
her partie conveened. His requeist in his letter
to the Lord Somervill was, that as heretofore, soe
now his lordship would not be wanting to wit-
nesse his loyalty to the queen. Haveing recea-
ved this advertisement from the Lord Seatoune,
wherof he was exceeding glad, the Lord Somer-
vill made all the haste that was possible to con-
veen his vassalles, followers, and such of his ten-

THE SOMERVILL&. 423

nents as was able to bear armes, provyding
them in the best maner he could, for the most
part horse men, ther armes was only sword, dag-
ger, and lance, pistolles then not being much in
use. With this companie upward of three hun-
dered marched upon the tenth of May, 1568, to
Hamiltoune, and joined his troupe to the rest of
the queen's cavallrie, which, when he had done,
he went and kissed her majesties hands, by whom
he was graciouslie receaved and kyndelie well-
comed by this princesse, who gained the hearts
of all her subjects who had the honour to con-
verse with her,' but these only that from the be-
ginning, upon the pretext of her differing in re-

1 In the following list of the barons whose forces composed
Queen Mary's army, at the battle of Langside, he is called
Hei'J Lord Somerville •• — " The nobillmen that come to the
field with the queene were these ; Archbald Earle of Argyle,
lieutennent ; Hew Earle of Eglintoune, Archbald Earle of Cas-
silis, Andro Earle of Rothus, my Lord Glamis, George Lord
Seatoun, Johnne Lord Heres, Hew Lord Somerveill, John
Lord Flemyng, Thomas Lord Boyd, my Lord Ross, the She-
rifle of Aire, and Sir James Hamiltoune of Craufuird, Johne
Knygthe, to the number of six thousand men or thairby — The
nobles and gentillmen on the regents pairt were James Earle
of Mortoune, Alexander Lord Home, Johnne Lord Lindesay,
Robert Lord Sempill, Williame Lord Ruthven, Johnne Lord
Grahame, Secretaire Lethingtoun, to the number of thrie thou-
sand or sum maire." — History and Life of King James the
Sext, p. 412.

424 MEMORIE OF

ligione from them, had a designe both upon her
life and croune, as was evident and conspicuous
to all that was not possessed with prejudiciall
thoughts of that excellent princesse, by ther

who, under speci-
ous pretexts for religione and libertie, banded
the greatest part of her subjects against her, then
conveened att Glasgow, under the command of
a royall bastard,* who, drawing these of his par-
tie, as the queen did her armie, to Langsyde, three
dayes eftir the Lord Somervill comeing to Ha-
miltoune the battle was fought, upon the thret-
teinth day of May 1568, and the queen's ar-
mie wholly defeat, three hundred killed upon the
place and many taken prisoners. Her majestic
seeing all lost, hastened to the west against the
counsell of all her best friends, and shipped att
Kirkcudbrugh for England, which in effect at
lenth proved her oune mine, and went neer to
have undone all these of her partie ; but that they
both for ther number and qualitie wer such as
the Regent Murray durst not proceed against,
especially eftir he had receaved ane advertise-
ment from the Queen of England. Upon this

* The celebrated James Stewart, Earl of Murray, created re-
gent by the king's party.

THE SOMERVILLS. 425

defeat of the royall partie att Langsyde, and the
queens quitting of the kingdom e, the Lord So-
mervill ha veing escaped from the fight sore wound-
ed in the face by a dagger, and in the thigh by
a lance, he reteired home to Cowthally-house,
and lived thereftir in peace, notwithstanding that
for the most part ther was yet in a maner a ci-
vill warre in the countrey betwext the factiones,
untill the second year of Mortounes regency, and
the delyverie up of the castle of Edinburgh by
Grange to the Queen of England's generall, up-
on the twentieth and nynth of May, 1573, which
was three yeares eftir this Lord James Somer-
villes death. Haveing given ane account of him
in soe farre as he was concerned in the publict,
I shall now, before I finish his memory, -speake
to his private concernes.

From the year 1568 to the year 1570, I find
nothing of any moment in the Lord Somervilles
private affaires, save that noble discovery made
by Katharine Murray, Lady Cambusnethen, the
maner wherof was this. John Somervill, nick-
named the Laird with the Plaid es, the third Laird
of Cambusnethen, being marryed upon Katha-
rine Murray, the Laird of Philliphaughes* daugh-

" This active dame was the daughter of Patrick Murray, of

4&(> MEMORIE OF "

ter, she being his second lady, as Katharine Car-
michaell, the Captaine of Craufuird's daughter,
was his first, as formerly I have written in Lord
Hugh's memory : This lady finding the barronie
of Cambusnethen, and most of her husband's
other lands allready heired by a son of his first
marriage, named James, and nick-named the
Laird with the Velvet-eye,1 of whom I will have
occasione to speake much eftirward. This gen-
tleman being to succeed to all, or most, .of his fa-
ther's fortune, did extremely vex his mother-in-
law, and soe much the more that she was mother
to many children, wherof ther was four sones ;
John Patrick, named eftir the Earle of Bothwell ;
William, named eftir the Laird of Philliphaugh,
his grand father ; and Thomas, with four daugh-
ters. The provisione of their children, by what
meanes soever, was all her care, especially John
her eldest sone, whom she designed, in the spight
of all oppositione, to have Laird of Cambusne-
then. In order therto, she endeavoured to

Falahill and Philiphaugh, the ninth baron, it is said, of that an-
cient family. Her mother was a daughter of Lord Fleming.
— Douglas* Baronage, p. 105.

1 Because he had lost an eye by a musket-shot, as afterwards
appears, which was covered with a patch of black velvet.

THE SOMERVILLS. 42/

weaken her step sones esteem with his father,
and thereftir caused her husband not only with-
draw his countenance from his eldest son and
appearing heir, but also all support suitable to
his qualitie, yea even necessaries for his body ;
and it was alleadged by some, ther was a designe
against his life ; for this gentlemans eye being
strucken out by a shott from Camnethen house,
it was never yet knoune from what hand it came,
however this lady bore the blame therof, and
was judged by most to have occasione therto :
And really her proceedings and actings eftir-
ward gave too great ground to confirme that
suspitione.

Upon her marriage in January, 1552, at the
castle of Creichtoune, where she had remained
with her uncle the Earle of Bothwell, from the
death of King James the Fyfth, whose concubine
she had likewayes been, and now marry ed upon
Camnethen, she was infeft in all his lands of
Louthian, Drum, Gillmertoune, and Gutters,1
as her joynter. These lands being then in the
possessione of the house of Cambusnethen, as
they had been for three score and ten yeares

T Or more properly Good-trees, now called Mardun. This
estate would have borne immense value in the present time^

428 MEMOItlE OJ

preceeding. Some few yeares eitir this, I find
her sone John was put in the fie of these, her
sone Patrick had a roume called the Green, att
the east end of the nether toune of Cambusne-
then. What provisione her other sones had I
find not ; and, as if all the lands of Louthian had
not been a sufficient provisione for her sone John,
she retaincs her resolutione to make him Laird
of Cambusnethen, in prejudice of his eldest bro-
ther of the first marriage. Haveing missed the
allyance of the Hamiltones, which she thought
was the most phesible way to effectuate her de-
signes, being prevented in this by her step sone,
who had marryed Margaret Hamiltone, only
daughter and heir to Archibald of Raploche,
wherby this gentleman had secured that name
and familie for his interest, his father-in-law be-
ing a great favourite of the Duke of Chattel-
broyes, and haveing the Abbot of Kilwinning
for his brother, who was a great courtier, and
uncle to the lady that he had marryed ; this
match failling, the Lady Cambusnethen her next
care was to secure all the name of Somervill for
her and her sones interest ; and she knew ther
was noe better way to effectuate this then by
marrying her sone upon ther chieffes daughter.
Haveing fixt upon this resolutione, she had the

7

THE SOMERVILLS. 429

confidence to goe to Cowthally, and propone her
sone John's marriage with my lord's second
daughter, a young lady then about the sexteinth
year of her age, who was eftirward marryed to
her cousine the Laird of Plain. The reasones
upon which this marriage was offered, albeit de-
lyvered by her ladyship in expressiones hand-
some enough, (being a bred courtier from her
youth) was much surprizeing to the Lord So-
mervill, who, haveing heard her out, desyred to
know if she had any warrand from her husband
for the ofTeres made by her, and these she re-
quyred of him. To this her ladyship answeared,
she understood her husband's mynde, and came
not there to make any such proposalles without
his expresse bidding and command. Upon which
confident assertione, the Lord Somervill takes
asyde Master John Maitlaine his cousine, se-
cond sone to Sir Richard Maitlane of Leidding-
toune, and brother to the secretary : This gen-
tleman was but lately returned from his studies
and travelles abroad, and haveing as yet attain-
ed to noe publict imployment for three or four
years eftir, had much of his residence with his
cousine James Lord Somervill att Cowthally
house.' The tymes being very troublesome, and

1 The author is correct in the fact, though he errs in the in-

430 MEMORIE OF

the wholl natione allmost in a perpetuall con-
sternatione, it was to this gentleman, that was

duction. Sir John Maitland, afterwards the chancellor of
James L, and created by him Lord Thirlestane, had already
made some figure in public affairs, having held the office of Lord
Privy Seal, until he was deprived by the predominant faction,
who conferred it upon the celebrated George Buchanan. Ha-
ving adhered to Queen Mary's party, Maitland threw himself
into the castle of Edinburgh, which was held out against the Re-
gent Morton, by the gallant Kircaldy of Grange until 1573.
At the surrender of the fortress, Maitland was first confined in
Tantallon Castle, and afterwards had the house of Cowthally
assigned to him as a sort of prison at large, as appears from the
following entry from the Acts of Council : —

f* Apud Holyrudhouse, 15th of February, 1573.
" Forasmikill as my lord regentis grace has granted libertie
to John Maitland, sumtyme Prior of Coldingham, furth of his
present ward to remain with Hew Lord Somervell at his house
at Couthalie, and twa mylis thereabout, during the will of his
soveraign lord and his said regent : therefore George Craufurd
of Lochnoris, Francis Douglas of Borg, John Edmonston of
that ilk, John Cockburn of Clarkington, younger, are become
oblist, and by the tenor hereof binds and oblisses them con-
junctlie and severalie, that the said John Maitland sail remain
in the company of the said Hew Lord Somervell in his house
and within the bounds above written, ey and while he be freed
and relievit by our said soveraign lord and his said regent.
And also that the said John in the mein tyme, and while bis
said releif, sail behave himself deutifullie, and sail do nor at-
tempt na thing directly nor indirectlie in hurt of our soveraign
lord and regentis authoritie and common weill of the realm ;
nor sail send letters furth of the realm, or receive letters fra
any personis, strangers, or utheris, now being within the same,
without he make my lord regentis grace privie thereto, incon-
tinent upon the sending or recaving. And in like manner the>

THE SOMERVILLS. 431

even then beginning to give evident tockens of
his great abilities, that the Lord Somervill im-
parted the Lady Cambusnethen's errand, keep-
ing nothing back of what she had delyvered, and
then requyred his advyce. This gentleman have-
ing considered a litle upon the bussinesse, told
his cousine the match indeed was creditable, but
the conditione she requyred most dishonourable
for him to grant, seing the wronging of a righte-
ous heir was the maine thing designed by that
marriage, and to make his lordship, by his power
and interest, the principall author and actor
therin, which eftirwards might bring a curse
upon the marriage, and certane ruine to both

said cautioners sail enter and present the said John Maitland
before the said regent and privy council when they sail be re-
queirit upon fiveteen days warning, under the pain of ten thou-
sand poundis."

" Mr Maitland continued under his confinement till the fall
of the Earl of Morton, who had ever been his enemy, that his
confinement was taken off, and an act of councill made there-
upon, declaring him ' relivit of his ward, and thereby allowed
to resort to any place of the realm at his plesore.' After this
he betook himself to the court again, and being a gentleman of
excellent parts, and a good proportion of learning, became soon
very acceptable to his majesty, insomuch as he was quickly
thereafter preferred to be one of the senators of the colledge
of justice, the 26th of April, 1581." — Ckawfurd's Lives of
the Officers of the" Crovon and Slate of Scotland) Edin. 1726,
fol vol. I. p. 14-2.

432 MEMORIE OF

the families. However, it was his opinione that
ther should be noe absolute refuiseall for the
tyme given to the ladye, but rather some hope
that that businesse might take effect ; and, to
continue her in this beleiffj it was desyred that
the next tyme her ladyship mynded to crave
about this affair, that all the papers of her hus-
band's estate, especially these concerneing the
lands of Mid Louthian, might be brought and
viewed, that a way for her sones further security
might be considered upon in poynt of law.

With this answear the Lady Camnethen went
home weill pleased, supposeing that she had
gained her poynt, seing the Lord Somervill had
hearkened to a treatie within twentieth dayes
thereftir. She returned with most part of her
husbands charters and evidences, and more par-
ticularly these relateing to the lands of Drum,
Gillmertoune, and Gutters, makeing her accompt
that if her sone missed the barronie of Cambus-
nethen, ther was non to contend with him for
these ; but the proverbe holds true : " It's fair
heght that foolles promises." The searcheing of
these papers being wholly remitted by the Lord
Somervill to the care and inspectione of Master
John Maitlane his cousine, this gentleman was
two dayes in looking them over, many of them

THE SOMERVILLS. 433

being papers of great antiquitie, relateing to
many lands in severall shirrefdomes, formerly
belonging to the Lord Somervill. However,
this gentleman, when he had inventared so many
of the principall papers as he believed might be
necessary as to the affair in hand, by providence
he falles upon that gift of nonentry granted to
Sir John of Quathquan, the first Laird of Cambus-
nethen, by King James the Fourth, in anno 1498,
particularly rehearsed allready to a word in that
gentleman's memory. Therefore at this tyme
it shall suffice to mentione the clause wherupon
James Lord Somervill, and eftir him Hugh Lord
Somervill his sone, founded ther summonds of
redemptione. The words are these following
the grant, (and " ay and whill ! the righteous
heires or heir therof be lawfully entered" therto
be us, gif they be in our hands by reasone above
written.) This is twice repeated, once in the
gift of nonentry, and next in the grant of the
absolute right of proppertie, in caice the king as
superior had been declyned. Master John Mait-
lane haveing found this gift, being but short, he
takes a double therof, and then turned in the

* i. e. until!.
2 E

434 MEMORIE OF

principall to the rest of the papers, wherof he
had seen and considered the principall of them
all, and found that, abstracting from conscience,
noe law could carry any considerable part of the
Laird of Campethen's estate from the sone of the
first marriage. These being his own thoughts,
he acquaintes his cousin e therwith. They both
resolve to putt off the Lady Cambusnethen with
a complement for the tyme, by telling her, that
now haveing perused the papers, they would con-
sult with ther lawyers, and take ther advyce how
the estate legally might be convoyed to her sone ;
and, in the mean tyme, the Lord Somervill to tell
her ladyship, that she might rest assured that he
would comply with her desyre, soe farre as ho-
nour and conscience would allow him.

The Lady Cambusnethen could not object
much against this answear of the Lord Somer-
villes, though at first she expected better suc-
cesse, and a more quick resolutione as to her
sones marriage, then now she looked for from
that demurre. Eftir dinner the Lady Cambus-
nethen haveing clok-baged up again all her pa-
pers, takes her leave with many fair promises
that her husband would to the outmost of his
power condescend to all things that in reasone
could be requyred of him relateing to the match :

THE SOMERVILLS. 435

Which complement being returned by the Lord
Somervill, they all take horses, he with his cou-
sine Master Maitlane gave the convoy to my
lady for some four mylles, and eftir went to hunt-
ing. Dureing ther sport Master Maitlane have-
ing concealled what he had discovered amongst
the papers, soe long as the Lady Cambusnethen
was present, he takes now occasione to enquyre
at his cousine, if his lordships predecessores had
ever any interest in Mid Louthian, and if he
knew how they parted with the same. He an-
sweared they had ; and, to the best of his know-
ledge, the house of Cambusnethen had these
amongst many other lands they receaved from
his great grand father Lord John, who, upon
the account of his sone of the second marriage,
went neer to have ruined his familie, by reasone
of the great fortune he left unto the sone of that
marriage. By this answear Master Maitlane un-
derstood that his cousine Lord James was alto-
gither ignorant of the way and maner of the
convoyance of Drum, Gillmertoune, and Gut-
ters, from his familie to that of Cambusnethens,
and therfore, in a drolling way, he asked his
cousine what he would bestow upon that persone
that should putt him in a way to recover these
lands. My lord smyleing, said, Cousine, the bar-

5

436 MEMOIUE OF

gane should soon be made if once I saw the man
that made the offer. Wherupon Master Mait-
lane, pulling out the paper, which was the dou-
ble of King James the Fourth's gift, and dely-
vers it to my lord, saying, There it is that will
effectuat and doe that bussinesse, and seing I am
the man that hes made the discovery, I crave noe
more but your lordshipes wrhyte gelding. Hear-
ing this discourse and haveing read the note, the
Lord Somervill immediately lights from his horse,
and takeing his cousine all in his armes, Here is
not only my gelding, but take this, which, in these
troublesome tymes, I have still keeped upon me,
not knowing what might befall, haveing, as was
my duety, syded and taken part with that just in-
terest of my princes, which hes had but bad suc-
cesse in the world. That which the Lord So-
mervill gave with his gelding to his cousine, was
a purse, sewed be his mother dame Janet Mait-
lane, with silke and silver, containeing twentieth
of old pieces of gold ; and, indeed, it could not
be better bestowed then upon her nephew, a
brave gentleman, whose great abilities and per-
sonall worth eftirward brought him to be the
principall officer of state in Scotland.

The Lord Somervill and his cousine leaveing
that sport, returnes to Cowthally house, where

THE SOMERVILLS. 437

haveing refreshed themselves and changed ther
horses, the dayes being then long, they mimed i-
atly posted to Edinburgh ; and the next day ef-
tir ther arryveall, they caused search the regis-
ters, for that gift granted be King James the
Fourth to the Laird of Cambusnethen, which at
lenth, within a few dayes, was found in the regis-
trationes of the exchecquer bookes, wherof the
Lord Somervill took ane authentick double un-
der the clerks hand of that office, and then con-
suites, his summonds raised and execute against
John Somervill, as appearing heir by progresse
to Sir John Somervill of Quathquan his grand-
father, as also against James Somervill, sone and
appearing heir to the said Sir John, and also
against Katharine Murray, wife to the said John
Somervill of Cambusnethen, and John Somervill,
her eldest sone. Both of them wer standing
seazed in the lands of Drum, Gillmertoune, and
Gutters. This begane that tedious and expen-
sive plea betwext the houses of Cowthally and
that of Cambusnethen, for the lands of Louthian,
which continued seven years before the deci-
sione, and cost the defender and pursuer more
money than these lands wer worth at that tyme,
besyde the rancor and feed it bred betwext the
families fomeer fourtie years thereftir.

438 MEMOUIE OF

1570. This plea begane in the very first year of Len-
nox regency ; for the summonds was execute in
the later end of Juily, 1560 ; ' and this nobleman,
being the king's grandfather, eftir the death of
Murray, was choysen regent, by a convention of
states holden att Stirling, upon the thretteinth
day of Jully, 1570; about which very time the
lords of the queen's factione, wherof James Lord
Somervill was still one, had appoynted a parlia-
ment to sitt att Linlithgow in August thereftir.
Soe that the contendings of the nobilitie and
principal barrons being divided betwext the
queen and the king her sone, keeped the coun-
trey in perpetuall combustione, ther being no-
thing dureing the remainder of this nobleman's
life, which was but some few monethes, and for
three years thereftir, but slaughter, burneing, and
ruining of houses upon all hands;* some tymes

1 If the writer is here accurate, the discovery he alludes to
must have taken place three years before Cowthally was assign-
ed to Maitland as a place of confinement at large. But he
might be on a visit to so near a relation, previous to his com-
pulsory abode in his castle.

% During this horrible civil conflict, the conquerors on either
side shewed no mercy to the vanquished, who were either slain
upon their surrendering themselves, or executed next day in
cold blood. " And this form of dealing," says a contemporary
historian, " was called the Douglas wars." — Historie qfJamr
VI., Edin. 1804, p. 168.

THE SOMERVILLS. 439

the queen's factione, and then these that pre-
tended to be for the kings interest, prevailing, as
their power or pollicie gave them fitting, that
ther was noe certanety nor leasure for following
furth of justice ; and therfore this nobleman left
this actione to be prosecuted by his sone Lord
Hugh, himself sickning in the year 1570, dyed
in the same, leaveing only, to the best of my in-
fbrmatione, but two sones and two daughters,
the eldest of whom being hypocondricke eftir
her father's death, lived allwayes in Edinburgh,
and had ane allowance from the familie by her
father's appoyntment. The other daughter was
marryed upon the Laird of Plain, a gentleman of
her oune name, and the first cadite of the house
of Cowthally in the qualitie of a barrone. This
lady bore four sones to the Laird of Plain, whose
successione remaines to this day as to the males,
albeit the lands passed from them in the third
generatione from this lady. For his sones, the
eldest being named Hugh eftir his grandfather
succeeded to the lordship ; the other sone, being-
named James eftir his father, had some roumes
in Carnwath-muir given him for his patrimony.
He was a handsome gentleman, but, as it ap-
peares, he lies been non of the frugallist j for he

410 MEMOME O*

sold his inheretance to his brother Lord Hugh,
or to some other persone, I am not certane. He
marryed a daughter of the Laird of Coving-
tounes, of the sirname of Lindsay, who, besyde
other gentlemen, bore to this gentleman Master
John Somervill, minister of Ednome, in Tiviot-
dale, whose eldest son, James, eftir his father and
grandfather Lord James, was named a propper
youth. Being at the colledge of Edinburgh, he
perished in the watter of Leith as he was sweem-
ing. His second sone Robert lives at this pre-
sent in a good conditione, upon lands purchased
by his father Master John in Tiviotdale ; this
gentleman Robert Somervill, failzieing of heirs
male of the house of Drum, is next heir male to
the house of Cowthally, as being grandcbilde to
James, and the only brother of the last Lord
Hugh. James Lord Somervill dying, as is all-
ready said, in anno 1570, and of his age about
fiftieth and three, he was buryed in the colledge
yle of Carnwath, within the vault beneath his fa-
ther and mother's tomb. He was the last lord
that was buryed there. His two succesrores,
sone and grandchilde, being both of them bury-
ed in the quier of Carnwath church. This no-
bleman's lady, Agnes Hamiltone, lived many

THE SOMERVJLLS. 44 1

years eftir her husband's death, and then dying
was buryed in the same sepulchre with her hus-
band.

Off Hugh, Lord Somervill, the eight Lord Somer-
vill, and the eighteinthfrom Sir Gudlter.

Hugh Lord Somervill succeeded to his father
James in the year 1570, or, if wee compt from
his being served heir to him, in anno 1571. The
gentlemen of the inqueist being these, viz. James
Lockhart of Lie, William Livingstoune of Jervis-
wood, John Whytefoord of that ilk, James Chan-
cellor of Crichtoune, Thomas Weir of West
Newtoune, Thomas Weir of Halksland, George
Weir of Stonebyres, Stephan Lockhart of Wee-
kidshaw, Robert Allane of Corfersrie, James
Weir, tutor of Hallrig, Thomas Ingles of East
Scheill, Charles M'Ewell of Delvie, and Nicoll
M'Ewell, burges of Lenerk. This Lord Hugh,
long before his father's death, had been marryed
to blame Helenor Seatone, daughter or sister,
for I am not certane which of them,1 to Alex-

* She is stated by the genealogists, and by our author him-
self a little higher, to have been daughter of George, sixth

442 MEMORIE OF

ander Lord Seatone, with whom he had many
children, sexteinth in all, as is reported. Wher-
of ther came eight to men and women, fyve
sones and three daughters, off whom eftirward I
treat in order, as I proceed in ther father's me-
morie.

The proces against the Laird of Cambusnethen
for the recoverie of the lands of Louthian, have-
ing been but slowly prosecuted by Lord James,
in regaird of the often interruptione the lords of
session had, as the queen's partie came to any
head. They at lenth possessing themselves of
the toune of Edinburgh, the Earle of Lennox,
then regent, (who had been choysen eftir the
death of the Earle of Marr,) upon the twentieth
1571. of May, 1571, haveing removed from Leith,
where he then lay, towards Stirling, commanded
the lords of session to follow and sitt there, for
admistratione of justice to the people. This and
the affectione Lord James ever had to that fac-
tione, made him unwilling to be obleidged to
them for any favour, which was the only reasone

Lord Seton ; the brother therefore must have been Robert
Lord Seton. There was no Alexander in that family at the
period ; but a third son of Lord Robert bore that name, and
succeeded to the honours of Eglinton.

THE SOMERVILLS. 443

that he made uoe progresse in that persute dure-
ing the three years that he lived, eftir his intent-
ing this lectione. But his sone Lord Hugh, as
he differed from his father in religione, (being
the first of the familie of Cowthally that was pro-
testant,) soe strook he in with the other factione
some few years before his father's death, which
displeased him much. However, before his death,
he was reconcealled to him, and wished that he
and all these noblemen that pretended soe
highlie for the prince, might be as faithfull and
loyall to him when king, as they had been un-
duetifull and disrespective to his royall mother,
whose partie he had ever ouned and followed
dureing the terme of his life, and now repented
it nothing at his death.1

Lennox being killed att the infall of Stirling,
and Mortoune elected regent, the castle of
Edinburgh taken, the queen's factione was never
able thereftir to make head. These things being
of publict concerne, and soe fully spocken to by
all our historians both of church and state, I

* There was long preserved in the house of Drum, in Mid-
Lothian, an antique chess-board and set of men, presented by
Queen Mary to this Lord Somerville, which has unfortunately
been lost or stolen.

44 A MEMOItlE OF

passe them in nameing them, only with this ob-
serve, that James Lord Somervill, the father of
this nobleman, saw before his death the extin-
guishing and dissolutione of that partie he had
ever ouned. Mortoiine, who had been a prin-
cipal! actor in all these resolutiones, and ever a
great enemie to the queen, now being regent,
ruled all at his pleasure ; and to his great com-
mendation e, eftir soe many stormes, fairlie setled
the countrey in peace, and made the session sitt
in its ordinar place, and keep ther termcs. Hugh
Lord Somervill, dureing this calling, was not
idle, but played his law suit to purpose, notwith-
standing he mett with strong oppositiones from
Cambusnethen, who being weill freindsted by
his families great allyance ; besydes the actione
itself was very extraordinary and unusuall, the
lyke seldome occurring or in use to come before
the lords, and that both for the lenth of tyme
that the defender had been in uninterrupted pos-
sessione of these lands, his right therto haveing
never been questioned before the year 1570,
and the nature of the summonds founded upon
some few words of a gift in favoures of ane heir,
which heir is again excluded in caice his predc-
cessores had disclaimed ther superiors by take-
ing the same lands hoi den of ane other lord.

THE SOMERVILLS. 44J

However, Hugli Lord Somervill haveing renued
the summonds in his oune name, persewes as
heir by progresse to John Lord Somervill, elder
brother to Hugh Lord Somervill, his grandfather,
the Laird of Cambusnethen, Katharine Murray,
his spouse, John Somervill, ther eldest sone, who
was infeft in all the lands of Louthian, and James
Somervill, sone and heir of the first marriage by
Katharine Carmichaell, this gentleman, John
Somervill, now of Cambusnethen, who was heir
by progresse to Sir John Somervill of Quathquan,
alias of Cambusnethen, his grandfather, in whose
favours the gift was granted by King James the
Fourth in anno 1498. It is to be observed, in
this summonds Lord Hugh passes by his father
Lord James, and his grandfather Lord Hugh,
and fixes only upon his grand-uncle, Lord John,
and that because it was he that stood last infeft
by the king, as heir to his father, William, Bar-
rone of Carnwath, in the lands of Drum, Gill-
mertoune, and Gutters.

This actione haveing continued from the year
1570 to the year 1577, dureing all that tyme,
as it was persewed with much vehemencie by the
Lord Somervill, soe was it defended by the lyke
obs.tinacie by Cambusnethen, who employing all
his allyaes, which wer not a few, and his lady all

446 MEMORIE OF

her freinds, which were many, being of the sir-
name of Murray, and Philliphaughe's eldest
daughter, who ouned his sone-in-law much in
the persuite of this actione. It's true, her cou-
sine by the mother syde, the Earle of Bothwell,
some two years before this persuite begane, was
foirfaulted, fled the countrey, and quyte ruined,
notwithstanding ther was many of that relatione
of the sirname of Hepburne ouned her interest
besydes these of the fathers, this lady herself
being brought up as she was maryed out of her
uncle's house, the castle of Crichtoune, when
that familie was in its meridiane for greatnesse
and honour, in the year 1552, Patrick, then
Earle of Bothwell, being as much commended
for his noble qualities as his sone Earle James
was hated by all men for his nottorious vices and
unlimitat ambitione, which at lenth reduced him
to the hight of misery, and brought him to end
his dayes in a languishing imprisonement. This
lady, his cousine, being nobly descended, and
one of King James the Fyfth's mistresses, it was
the Laird of Cambusnethen's good or bad for-
tune, as yow please to construct it, to have two
of them to his wifes, who did not a litle illustrate l

* That is, render illustrious, though the propriety of apply-
ing the phrase may be doubted.

THE SOMERVILLS. 447

that familie by ther successione, especially this
last Lady Katharine Murray, whose breeding
and eloquence was equal to her beautie and
handsomenesse, and whose beautie had but few
matches in that age, within the natione, if it had
not been stained by the calumny of some mali-
tious tongues, that brought her honour in ques-
tione even eftir she maryed Cambusnethen, upon
noe other ground but because of her freedome
of speech and courtly carriage to all persones
that honoured her with a visite, or to whom she
was pleased to make her addresse, being bred a
courtier, and haveing ever frequented the com-
pany of persones of the greatest qualitie. Whill
in her uncle's house she was accustomed to al-
low herself greater libertie then suited with the
custome of the place where she now was, or yet
with the humores of her nighboures, amongst,
whom she then dwelt, especially in that uncivil-
lized age ; and who to this day considers the
nature of that people, as to the generalise of the
commones in particular, ther is not a shyre in
Scotland soe much guilty of detractione as they,
or hes lesse christiane charitie for others, if they
differ from them in the least punctilio of cus-
tome or opinione as to ther church governe-

448 MEMORIE OF

ment ; ' and, which tmely is hatefull, they are
not only medlers in other men's matters, both
civill and religious, but would conforme all men's
practices and opiniones to the standart of ther
whimsies ; and, which is ridicolous, they are
pleased to assume names and titles to themselves
as they fancy, only to differ them from others,
which is propper and peculiar to all beleivers
within the catholick and universall church. But,
waveing this, I returne to the vindicatione of
this lady, off whom, by her four daughters, ther
is soe many honourable families descended,
whose worth in haveing soe vertuous a mother,
that provyded soe weill for them, requyred noe
lesse at my hands then what I have written, al-
beit it be true this very lady proved the saddest
sight, since the second marriage of John Lord
Somervill with the house of Lamingtoune, that
ever the house of Cowthally saw ; for she in-

1 It must he remembered that ©ur author wrote in the days
of James II. when disputes ran to extremity between those of
the established episcopal church, to which he seems to have
been sincerely attached, and the presbytcrians, whose doctrine
was much more popular in Lanarkshire, and generally through
the west of Scotland. This may account for his severe dialribe
;>g:unst the love of detraction, which he ascribes to the shire
inhabited by ^is forefathers.

THE SOMERVILLS. 449

gadged my Lord SomerviUe's familie in ane ex-
pensive and tedious plea, which gave the first
ryse to all ther troubles ; and noe lesse fatall was
she to the house of Cambusnethen ; for besyde
the debt contracted for mentaineing that very
plea against the Lord Somervill, the provisione
Of her four sones and four daughters went neer
to have ruined her step-sone, James Somervill,
the laird with the velvet eye, his estate, which he
was to succeed to. And yet, notwithstanding
tins lady left these many sones behind her, the
memory of her eldest sone John only remaines,
who being putt from the lands of Louthian by
the Lord Somervill his decreit, had in lieu ther-
fore the lands of Pederholl, and a roume in the
overtoune of Cambusnethen, given him for his
patrimony. The fourth from this gentleman is
now Master John Somervill, minister of the gos-
pell att Cramond, in Mid-Louthian.

The Lord Somervill had often importuned the 1577.
lords of session for a hearing in the inner house,
but was still postponed by the moyane and in*
terest of the Laird of Cambusnethen and the
lady. At lenth he was advysed to use this pol-
licy, by one who knew the temper and avarice
of Mortoune, then regent. This gentleman's ad-
vice was, that the Lord Somervill should have his
2 p

450 MEM OWE Of

advocats in readynesse, and his proces in forme,
against the next day, tymelie in the morning ;
that he might not be prevented by other solici-
tors, he should waitt upon the regent in his oune
bed-chamber, and informe him that his bussinesse
was allready fully debeated and concluded ; that
only Cambusnethen had given in a petitione of
new to the lords craveing that his bussiness might
be heard again in presentia, before ther decerni-
ture, which hitherto, notwithstanding of his bill,
he had hindered himself; therefore his desyre
should be, that his royal highnesse should be
pleased to cause call his actione against Cam-
busnethen, that soe long had been depending
before them. And whatever answear he should
receave from the regent, he desyred my Lord
Somervill not to be much concerned ; but upon
his takeing leave, he should draw out his purse,
and make as though he intended to give the
waitting servants some money, and therupon slip
doune his purse, with the gold therin, upon the
table, and thereftir make quickly doune staires
without takeing notice of any cry that might
come eftir him. The Lord Somervill punctually
observed this gentleman's directione and advyce
in all poyntes ; for haveing advysed his busi-
nesse the night before with his advocats, and
commanded his agents to have all his papers to-

THE SOMERVILLS. 451

gither against the morrow, for he hoped to bring
his bussinesse to a close, being prepared tyme-
lie the next morning with his principall advo-
cate, he was with the regent, and informed him
fully of his affair ; he gave a signe to his advo-
cat to remove, as though he had something to
speak to the regent in private, which, when he
observed his advocat to be gone, he takes his
leave of the regent, ther being, by good fortune,
non in the roume but themselves, two of the re-
gent's pages, and the door-keeper within. It
being the custome for noblemen and gentlemen
at that tyme allwayes to keep ther money in
purses, this the Lord Somervill drawes out as
it wer to take out a piece of money to give the
door-keeper, and leaves it negligently upon the
table. He went quickly doune staires, and took
noe notice of the regent's still crying eftir him,
" My lord, you have forgott your purse," but
went still on untill he came the lenth of the
outter porch e, now the Duke of Hamiltone's
lodgeirtg, when a gentleman that attended the
regent came up, and told him that it was the
regent's earnest desyre that his lordship would
be pleased to returne and breakfast with him,
which accordingly the Lord Somervill did, know-

452 MEMORIE OP

ing weill that his project had taken effect.1 About
ten a clock the regent went to the house, which
was the same which is now the Tolbuith church,
in coach. Ther was non with him but the
Lord Boyd and the Lord Somervill. This was
the second coach that came to Scotland, the
first being brought by Alexander Lord Seatone,
when Queen Mary came from France. Cam-
busnethen, by accident, as the coach passed,
was standing att Nidderies Wynde head, and
haveing inquyred who was in it with the regent,
he was answeared, non but the Lord Somervill
and the Lord Boyd, upon which he strocke his
breast and said, " This day my cause is lost ;"
and indeed it proved soe ; for about eleven
hours, the eighteinth day of December, 1577,

1 Morton's character was stained by the vices of lust and
avarice, which renders this story not improbable. He is said,
in a contemporary chronicle, to have hastened the execution
of one Cullen, his prisoner, that he might more freely enjoy

the favour of his fair wife Historie of James the Sext, p. 138.

And the partial historian of the house of Douglas admits " that
many of his publick measures were rather pretexts for extort-
ing money than for any other good use or end. His attend-
ants," continues the same author, H were not altogether void
of envie for their great wealth, nor of hatred in regard of the
way men thought they got it, which was by receiving and
taking bribes from such as had suites to him, for obtaining
accesse to him, or his favour, by their means, and some such
indirect wayes." — Godscuoft, edit. 1644, p. 335.

THE SOMERVILLS. 455

ibis actione was called and debeated untill twelve
most contentiously by the advocats upon both
sydes. The principall for the Lord Somervill
was Master John Russell ; and for Cambusne-
thene's advocate and his lady, Master John
Sharp. All the defences Cambusnethene's ad-
vocats brought in or made use of against the
Lord Somerville's summonds of reductione wer
only these which the decreitt containes, too te-
dious here to be insert. However, eftir the de-
beat was closed, the interloquitor passed in my
Lord Somerville's favours, who haveing extract-
ed his decreit the 26th of the same moneth, 1577>
he raised letters before the counsell upon three
dayes eftir the charge against Cambusnethen,
his ladye's sone, and all others contained in the
decreit, and that under the paine of rebellione
and imprisoneing ther persones in the castle of
Edinburgh, they should resigne all titles and
rights they had to these lands of Drum, and Gill-
mertoune, and Gutters any manner of way, in
his favoures, quitt ther possessione, and delyver
up all the wryttes and charters to him as his
oune propper evidences in all tyme comeing.
The signett being discharged to passe a suspen-
sione in any of ther favoures against whom the
charges was directed. And indeed thir letters

454 MEMORIE.OF

are the severest, being upon noe publict accompt,
that ever I did see. The Lord Somervill, that
he might lose noe tyme, within two dayes eftir
the charge he raises a removeing, dated the
28th of December, 1577. Upon all which pro-
ceedings I still find Master John Sharp, adyocat
for Camnethen, compearing before the lords of
counsell. And, upon the 22d of January, 1578,
gives in ane ample renuntiatione conforme to
the charge subscryved be Cambusnethen, his
lady, and ther sones, in favoures of Hugh Lord
Somervill, his heirs and assignayes. This renun-
ciation e had been dated att Edinburgh and Cam-
1578. busnethen the 18th and 20th of January, 1578.
In May thereftir he procures a charter from the
Exchecquer, for infefting himself in Drum, Gill-
mertoune, and Gutters ; and accordingly it's
granted by King James the Sexth, upon the
eleventh of May, 1578, wherupon Hugh Lord
Somervill is infeft in the same moneth. Thus
ended that expensive plea betwext the houses of
Cowthally and Cambusnethen, eftir seven or
eight years debeatt, and these lands of Louthian
returned again to the Lord Somervilles, when
they had been four score years compleat in the
possessione of the familie of Cambusnethen, viz.
from the year 1498 to the year 1578, wherin the

9

THE SOMERVILLS. 455

Lord Somervill had againe the peaceable posses-
sions And now I must be allowed to have some
observations upon the wholl progresse of this
affair from the beginning.

It was the eldest sone of a second marriage,
whill he was wholl tutor and curator to two in-
fants, that by the favour of his prince and the
moyane of his brother-in-law, Archibald Earle of
Angus, took the advantage of a decreit King
James the Fourth had purchased against his
pupilles, relateing to these lands of Louthian,
whereunto he procures a right, and establishes
the same in favours of himself and his heirs for
ever, imagineing he had been secured enough,
notwithstanding of these few words contained
in the gift, relateing to the present Lord Somer-
vill and his heirs, then his pupill, because of the
subsequent grant ; for lie knew very wreill Wil-
liam, Barrone of Carnwath, his eldest brother,
had committed a grosse errour in disclameing
his superior, by takeing these lands holding of
the Earle of Monteith, when they held of the
king as Earle of Stratherne, whereby he for-
faultes the right of proppertie to the king's ma-
jestie, in whose power it was to conferre them
upon whom he pleased, as he did to Sir John of
Quathquan and Cambusnethen, with the former

450 jMEMORIE OF

clause imbodyed in the same grant, which was
purposely done by George Gordoune, Earle of
Huntley, the great chancellor of Scotland, that
the right might be eftirwards quarrelled by the
Lord Somervill when he was major ; for he sus-
pected Cambusnethen's designe in the drawing
of the gift, but had noe will directlie to oppose
it for the tyme, Cambusnethen being then much
in the king's favoures.

This unhappy gift being the fountaine, and
this gentleman the procurer of it to himself and
his heirs, instead of his nephew, to whom in right
it belonged, that occasioned soe much mischeif
and trouble to both the families. My next ob-
serve from this proceeding shall be, that it was
the lady of a second marriage, and a king's mis-
tress, that in prejudice of the righteous heir of
the first marriage gave the discovery and meanes
to the true heirs of that Lord John who was
highly prejudged by this gift, to get back ther
antient inheretance eftir soe long a tract of tyme,
when ther was nothing lesse in her thoughts
then that either these lands, or any part of Cam-
busnethenes estate, should belong either to the
Lord Somervill, or the undoubted heir of her
husband. God makes here the instrument to
bring back these lands of Louthian to the house

THE SOMERVILLS. 457

of Cowthally, and her step-sone James, the Laird
with the Velvet Eye, to be absolutely secured in
the barronie of Cambusnethen, because of the
losse of the former, wherwith she mynded to sa-
tisfie the sone of the first marriage, and establish
her oune issue in the barronie of Cambusnethen.
Thus wee see men and women proposes, but
God disposes of present and future continuance
according to his pleasure j for if this accident
had not occurred by a remarkeable providence,
ther had not of these two families, I account
them both as one, remained a coatt house, or
rig of land, that ever belonged to the Lord So-
mervill, or the Lairds of Cambusnethen, in prop-
pertie or superioritie of the cadites that came off
since the year ] 500, but Spittell allenerly, who
was the next of a landed gentleman eftir Cam-
busnethen.1

Hugh Lord Somervill haveing gained what he
desyred in the poynt of law, his next care was to
put himself in possessione ; and in order there-
unto, the first of Jully, 1578, he holdes a court

* At the time when the author lived, these lands of Drum
were all that remained of the large estates possessed by the
baronial house of Somerville, and their powerful descendants
and competitors the Lairds of Cambusnethen.

45 S MEMORIE OF

at Gillmertoune, and makes all the tennents of
Drum, Gillmertoune, and Gutters, give up ther
old tackes, which they had of the Laird of Cam-
busnethen, and take tackes of himself, which ac-
cordingly the tennents did ; and this was the
first court holden in the Lord Somervilles name,
since the year 1 499, that Sir John of Quathquan
did his nephew and pupil that honour, that al-
beit he had secured the proppertie of these lands
to himself and his heirs, yet he was pleased to
fence the court in his nephewes name, John
Lord Somervill.
1581. The Earle of Gowrie, in the moneth of Apryle,
1 584, being brought in questione for surprizeing
of the king, and detaineing his person at Rivan,
the twentieth and third of August, 1582, his
judgement was found relevant by the persones of
jurie, wherof Hugh Lord Somervill was one,1

' He was executed for his concern in doing violence to
the king's person, by seizing upon him at the enterprize called
the Raid of Ruthven. The persons of the jury were " Colen
Earl cf Argyle, David Earl of Crawford, John Earl of Mon-
tross, James Earl of Glencarn, Hugh Earl of Eglington, James
Earl of Arran, George Earl of Marshal, Alexander Earl of
Seaton, Hugh Lord Sommervil, Hugh Lord Down, William
Lord Levingston, Patrick Earl of Drummond, James Lord
Ogilvy, Alexander Master of Oiiphant, and John Murray of
Tullibardin. They retiring themselves, as the custom is, and

THE SOMERVILLS. 459

being then with the king att Stirling, with whom
he returned to Edinburgh, and was present att
the parliament conveened the twentieth and se-
cond day of May, 1584, wherinhis majesties au-
thorise over all persones in all causes whatsoever
was confirmed, with severall other acts in favoures
both of the king's majestie and his counsellors,
which are mentioned at lenth by Bishope Spots-
wood. The parliament being brocken up, the
Lord Somervill comes to the Drum, accompany-
ed with his father or his brother-in-law, (for I

returning within a short space pronounced him guilty, where-
upon sentence was given that he should be taken to the mar-
ket-cross, have his head cut off and be dismembered as a trait-
or. The last part thereof was dispensed, and he in the even-
ing beheaded. His servants were permitted to take the head
with the body and bury it. This was the end of that noble-
man, who in his life was much honoured and employed in the
chief offices of court : a man wise, but said to have been too
curious, and to have consulted with wizzards touching the
state of things in future times ; yet he was not charged with
this; nor seemed he to be touched therewith in his death,
which to the judgement of the beholders was very peaceable
and quiet. He was heard to make that common regret which
many great men have done in such cases, That if he had ser-
ved God as faithfully as he had done the king, he had not
come to that end, but otherwise died patiently, with a con-
tempt of the world, and assurance of mercy at the hands of
God." — Spottiswood's History of the Church of Scotland,
London, lffi7,Jbl. p. 332.

460 JKEMORIE OF

am not certane which of the two he was to him,)
Alexander' Lord Seatone, and John Millne, the
kings master meassone.1 Haveing pitched upon
the place for situatione, they agree with him for
building a house, the lenth, breadth, and hight,
being condescended upon. The wholl contry-
veance, with the price, was, by the Lord Somer-
vill and Master Millne, remitted to the Lord Sea-
toune, he being one of the greatest builders in
that age 5 3 and at that very tyme had the king's
master of worke at Seatoune, building that large
quarter of his palace towards the north-east. The

1 Robert Lord Seton. See a preceding note.

a This family of Milne were for six generations master ma-
sons, or architects, to the kings of Scotland. This remarkable
circumstance is recorded upon the tomb of John Milne, the
great grandson of the person mentioned in the text. The mo-
nument is still extant in the Grey Friars church-yard, Edin-
burgh, and has these lines towards the bottom, besides another
inscription in prose and verse :

" Reader, John Milne, who maketh the fourth John,

And by descent from father unto son,

Sixth master- mason to a royal race,

Of seven successive kings, sleeps in this place.

This John Milne died in 1667. In the Abbey burial-ground
at Holyrood-House, is buried Robert Milne, the father, I
presume, of this John, A. D. 1633.

3 Robert Milne built the old college of Edinburgh, and se-
veral other public buildings, in the reign of James VI.

THE SOMERVILLS. 46 1

place of Drum was begune in June, 1584, and
finished in October, 1585, in the same forme it
is in at present, but one story laigher ; it being
some years thereftir by ane casuall fyre brunt
doune, Hugh Somervill, youngest sone, but then
second sone by the death of his brethren, to this
Lord Hugh, rebuilt the same, and raised it one
storie higher. The roumes are few, but fair and
large ; the entrie and stair-caice extremely ill
placed, neither is the outward forme modish, be-
ing built all in lenth in forme of a church. It
was finished the second tyme, being againe brunt
by accident in anno 1629 ; and soe remaines un-
till this day in the possessione of the first build-
er's posteritie.

This nobleman, in imitatione of his father-in-
law, repaired much of Cowthally house, and
made it some what more light, most of the
roumes before this being very darke. He like-
wayes took off the roof from the long gallery, and
raised it in hight equall to the two towers wher-
unto the same gallery joyned, and sclait it all
with sclaites. This worke he finished in the year
1586. The building of the house of Drum, and
the repairing of the castle of Cowthally, occa-
sioned this lord to contract more debt then what
formerly he had putt himself into, by his pleaing

462 MEM0R1E OF

with the house of Cambusnethen. Therefore,
in the year 1587, he borrowes from one Gilberts,
a goldsmith and jeweller to the queen, ane thou-
sand punds Scots, and wodsett to him the lands
of Gutters under redemptione. In May, the
same year, eftir this wodset is begun, an actione
which tended to his oune, his ladyes and child-
ren's disgrace, and was the foirrunner and prog-
nostick of the dissentione that would follow in
his familie, to the certane mine therof, as eftir-
ward fell out, what might be the occasione of
that unhappy difference betwext him and his
lady, eftir twentieth years cohabitatione, could
never certanely be knowne ; for he himself ne-
ver made it appear by any judiciall procedoure
or publict act against his lady, farther then by
a willfull desertione, condemned by his neerest
relationes, and all the world, his sones only ex-
cepted, who, as is judged, was not soe cordiall to
remove the mistakes that was betwext ther pa-
rents, as in nature and conscience they ought to
have done ; but* upon the contrary, did too much
countenance ther father in this imprudent act
against ther mother, because ther fortunes de-
pended wholly upon his pleasure, wrhich God in
his justice at lenth allmost, if not alltogither,
blasted bv the sad calamitie in that familie,

THE SOMERVILLS. 463

which happened efter this unhappy difference
fell out. Farther then meer conjecture, by the
relatione of these that wer liveing within these
few years, (for in writt there is nothing to be
found,) could I ever learne what was the true
cause of that unhappy separatione, but a simple
storie not worth the relateing. However, his
lady, dame Hellenor Seatoune, persewes her
lord for adherance before the commissioners of
Edinburgh ; and upon that depending actione
raised ane other before the lords of counsell and
session, for an aliment conforme to her contract
of marriage, which at lenth she obtaines ; and
the lords by ther decreit ordaines her fourtie
shilling each day, untill the decisione of the ac-
tione of adherance, or the cohabitatione, from
the seventh day of September, ] 587, and in all
tyme comeing.' This decreet was extracted the

* The following traces of this action of aliment appear
upon the record of the consistorial court : — " 23d Feb. 1587.
Anent the supplication given in be Deame Helenor Seytoun,
agains Hew Lord Somervell, bearand that the sd deame Hele-
nor is repudiat be the sd lord, hir spous, furth of his cumpanie,
and yr foir hes ihtentit actionis of adherence befoir the said
comms. ; and it is of weritie, that at na tyme sen her expul-
sion, scho hes had ony expensis to sustene hir self upoun for
hir intcrtenment conforme to her qualitie and estait, and for
sustening of hir expenss and chairgis in the said pursute, con-

464 MEMOK1E OF

twelth of August, 1588, and in September ther-
eftir, she serves ane inhibitione upon her hus-
band, arreisted all his rentes in the tennents
hands, and did all other legall dilligence to se-
cure herself in law, and compell her lord to pay
that raodificatione allowed to her by the sen-
tence of the counsell. Thus God, in his secret
judgement, haveing a contraversie with the fa-
milie of Cowthally, as mynding shortly to de-
pryve it of all its honoures and greatnesse, suf-
fered this breach betwext the husband and the
wife ; and as the thing itself was hatefull, soe
could it not but draw many inconveniences up-

forme to the sd lord's rentall gevin in be hir in the said caus,
subscryvit be his umql. father and frends, as at mair lenth is
contenit in the sd supplication ; qlk being sene and considde-
rit be the sd comms., they haif ordanit the sd Hew Lord So-
mervell to content and pay to the said deame Helenor, the
sowme of ane hundreth punds money, modifiet be them per
modum pensionis, for her expenss and chairgis in the sd caus
of adherence persewit be the sd deame Helenor agains the sd
Lord Hew hir spous."

" 11th June, 1588. The comms. decernis and ordanis Hew
Lord Somervell to content and pay to deame Helenor Sey-
toun Lady Somervell, the sowrae of ane hundreth pounds mo-
ney, modenet be them per modum pensionis, as for hir ex-
penss in the action and cause of adherence persewit be the
said lady against the sd lord*" — From the Record of the Com'
missary Court of Edinburgh*

THE SOMERVILLS. 465

on him, as to the governement of his house, the
breeding of his children, the indignatione of his
ladyes freinds, who were persones of great ho-
nour and of eminent ranke amongst the first of
the nobilitie, besides the great expences of plea,
which could not but increase his burding ex-
ceedingly to what he had contracted by that te-
dious actione with the house of Cambusnethen,
in redeeming the lands of Louthian from them ;
the consideration of all which, with the scan-
dell that reflected most upon himself and child-
ren, should have detained him from any such
practice. But what should I say, when God has
a mynde to humble any familie and lay ther
glory in the dust, he hes many wayes to doe it
by contemptable instruments in humane appear-
ance. A matter of mere moonshine, as is re-
ported, had occasioned all this difference be-
twext the Lord Somervill and his lady.

The popish lords, wherof the Earles of Hunt- 1589.
ley, Crawfuird, and Errol, being the principal],
haveing made an insurrectione in the north,
these three takeing armes, assembled ther forces
in the beginning of Apryle, and came to Aber-
deen, where they emitted a proclamatione, inti-
mating the king was held captive, and forced
2g

466 MEMORIE OF

against his inclinatione to use his nobles rigor-
ously, therefore they requyred all good subjects
to concurre with them to sett his persone att li-
bertie. Thus rebeUione will not want specious
pretextes, civill or religious, to cover ther black-
est designes. Upon the king's approach this bu-
siness was soon over, Huntley and Craufuird de-
clyned to fight for fear the king might be in dan-
ger, therefore they dispersed ther forces, and
submitted to the king's mercy, which his majes-
ty accepted, without granting any other condi-
tions but that they should present themselves
to justice, which accordingly they did, upon the
twentieth and fourth of May, 1589, and wer
found all guiltie of the severall indytements,
Hugh Lord Somervill being one of assyze.1 Not-
withstanding of this imprisonement, they were
all restored to the king's favour.

This year, 1589, in the moneth of Jully, ther
falles out a sad accident, as a further warneing
that God was displeased with the familie. The

1 " Of noblemen and others charged to pass upon their as-
size, there were present the Lord Hamilton, the Earls of An-
gus,'Morton, Athol, Mane, and Marshall, the Lords Seatoun,
Somervil, Dingwell, and Cathcart, the Lairds of Pittarrow,
Closburn, Lagg, and the constable of Dundy." — Spottis-
wood, p. 376*.

THE SOMERVILLS* 4>6?

Lord Somervill haveing come from Cowthally
earlie in the morning, in regaird the weather was
hott, he had ridden hard to be at the Drum be
ten a clock, which haveing done, he laid him
doune to rest. The servant, with his two sones,
William Master of Somervill, and John his bro-
ther, went with the horses to ane shott of land,
called the Prety Shott, directly opposite to the
front of the house, where ther was some meadow
ground for grassing the horses, and willowes to
shaddow themselves from the heat. They had
not long continued in this place, when the Mas-
ter of Somervill, eftir some litle rest, awakeing
from his sleep, and rinding his pistolles that lay
hard by him wett with the dew, he began to rub
and dry them, when unhappily one of them went
oft' the ratch,1 being lying upon his knee, and
the muzell turned syde-wayes, the ball strocke
his brother John directly in the head, and killed
him outright, soe that his sorrowful brother ne-
ver had one word from him, albeit he begged it
with many teares. A lamentable caice, and much
to be pittied, two brave young gentlemen soe
nearly related, and dearly loveing one another,

* Ratch, i, e. Lock.

468 MEMORIE OF

who besydes ther being brethren by birth, wer
intirely soe in affectione, communicating all ther
affaires and designes one to the other, wherin
they wer never knoune to differ in the least.
Soe soon as they wer men, and came to under-
stand themselves, they constantly attended ther
father and advysed him in many things. In this
journey they wer very hopefull to reconceall
ther parents, and bring them to cohabite togi-
ther, ther father being most indulgent and much
counselled by them, though he was by nature of
a hastie dispositione, and very passionat ; but it
appeares that it was not the will of heaven ; for
this unlucky accident marred ther good inten-
tiones.

Ther father hearing the shott, leapt from his
(being then in the chamber of dice,1) to the
south light, and seing his sone and servants all
in a cluster, called aloud to know the matter,
but receaveing no answear, he suspected some
mischeiff, and thereupon flew hastily doune the
stair, and went directly towards the place where
they wer, which the gentlemen observeing, they
advysed the Master to take him to his horse, un-

1 That is, the state chamber, so called from the dius, or state
canopy, displayed io it.

. THE SOMERVILLS. 469

till his father's passione and furie should be over,
which, at lenth, upon their earnest intreaty, he
did, takeing his direct way for Seatoune, where
his lady mother then lived by Smeitoune foord.
The father being come upon the place, first
heares the lamentatione of the servants, and then
sees the sad spectacle of his sone all bloody and
breathlesse, with his head laid upon a cloack ;
wheron he falles himself, and cryes aloud, " My
sone, my sone, dead or aly ve ? dead or alyve ?"
imbracing him all the tyme, which he continued
for some space, and thereby giveing opportunity
for his eldest sone to escape. Att lenth finding
noe motione in his dear sone, all in a furie he
aryses, and cryes aloud, " Where is that murder-
er? who lies done the deed?" stairing wyldelie
about, missing the Master, he cryes out, " Oh,
heavens, and is it he ? must I be bereft of two
sones in one day ? Yes, it must be soe, and he
shall have noe other judge nor executioner but
myself and these hands." And with that imme-
diatly mountes his horse, commanding two of
his servants to attend him, makeing protestatione
in the mean tyme, that they should both goe to
the grave togither ; but God was more mercifull,
for by this tyme the Master was passed Smeitoune
foord, and before his father came that lenth he

470 MEMORIE OF

was at Fallsyde House, out of all danger, being
within two mylles of Seatoune. His father come-
ing to the watter-syde, and hearing his sone had
passed by the road he had taken, he understood
his sone intended for Seatoune palace,1 where he
was sure to be before it was possible to overtake
him : finding, therefore, his further pursuit fruit-
lesse, comeing now a litle to himself, he begane
much to condemne this unwarrantable attempt
of his, upon second thoughts. Before he came
back, the sad object of his sorrow was removed
to the place of Drum, and the corps desently
handled by the ladyes of Edmonstoune, Wooll-
mett, and Shireff-hall, neer neighboures;* for

' Situated in East-Lothian, near the sea coast.

1 There is a very striking scene in Webster's fine old play
of Villeria Corombona, in which is described the mourning of
relations over the corpse of one, who, like this unfortunate
young gentleman, had fallen by the hand of his brother.

" Enter Francisco de Medicis.

How now ? thou art sad.

Francisco de Medicis. I met even now with the most piteous

sight.
Flamineo. Thou meet'st another here, a pitiful degraded

courtier.
Francisco de Medicis. Your reverend mother
Is grown a very old woman in two hours.
I found them winding of Marcello's corse;
And there is such a solemn melody,

THE S0MERVILL9. 47 1

in lesse then ane houre the report went all over
the countrey. Yea, before the king rose from
dinner he had notice of it, being then in Holly-
rude House, with the circumstance of the fa-
ther's following the other sone with intentione
to kill him ; for which the king, within three
dayes thereftir (the Lord Somervill comeing to
waitt upon his majestie) reproved him by saying
he was a mad-man ; that haveing lost one sone
by soe sudden ane accident, should needs will-

'Tween doleful songs, tears, and sad elegies ;
Such as old grandames, watching by the dead,
Were wont to outweare the nights with ; that believe me,
They were so o'ercharged with water —

Flamineo. I will see them.

Brachiano. 'Twere much uncharity in you: for your sight
Will add unto their tears.

Flamineo. I will see them,
They are behind the traverse. I'll discover
Their superstitious howling.

Cornelia, the Moor, and three other Ladies discovered winding
Mar cello's corse. A Song.

Cornelia. This rosemary is wither'd, pray get fresh ;
I would have these herbs grow up in his grave,
When I am dead and rotten. Reach the bays,
I'll tie a garland here about his head :
'Twill keep my boy from lightning. This sheet
I have kept this twenty years, and every day
Hallowed it with my prayers ; I did not think
He would have wore it."— The White Devil, act V.

472 MEMORIE OF

fully destroy another himself, in whom, as he
was certanely informed, ther was nether malice
nor designe, but a great misfortune, occasioned
by unwarry handleing of the pistoll, which should
rather have been a matter of regrate and sorrow
to him, that the lyke had happened in his fami-
lie, then that he should have sought eftir re-
venge. Thairefore he commanded him to^send
for his eldest sone, and be reconcealled with
him, for he knew he was a sober youth, and the
very thoughts of his misfortune would afflict him
enough, albeit he wer not discountenanced by
him.

Upon this christian advyce that his majestie-
was pleased to give, some few dayes thereftir the
Master was written for, and admitted to waitt
upon his father as formerly, and orders taken
judicially to clear him of that slaughter by ane
jurie, before whom and justiciares criminall, all
the gentlemen and servants that attended upon
the Lord Somervill wer sworne, who positively
declared upon ther great oath, that neither before
nor at the time the slaughter fell out they knew
any difference betwext the two brethren, but
upon the contrary, the greatest love imaginable,
and soe intire friendship that what the one did
in ther oune or ther father's affaires, was still

THE SOMERVILLS. 473

approved off by the other ; and farther, they
made knoune to the judges and assyzers the
wholl manner and circumstances of" that sorrow-
full bussinesse. Upon all which the Master was
assoilzied, the killing of his brother John being
found homicidium casuale, as the lawyers terme
it, which is when one is killed casually, without
either the fault or designe of the killer.1

The affair being over, the Master goes west 1590.
with much sorrow both in heart and lookes, for-
bearing to medle in any bussinesse ; and now as
formerly, by his affable and obleidgeing carriage
he had procured the epithete of the good Master
of Somervill, soe from hencefurth he might have
been called the Sad and Sorrowfull Brother ; for
it was observed from the very moment of that
unhappy accident untill his death, which fell out
about three years thereftir, he never enjoyed a
comfortable hour, but was still sad and melan-
cholly. The father returneing home and ob-
serving his sone's carriage, was much greived
therwith ; he used all meanes, both by his ad-

1 There was a remission granted to this unfortunate gentle-
man under the great seal, dated in 1587, though, if he was
cleared by the verdict of an assize, it seems to have been un-
necessary.

474 MEMORIE OF

vyce and fatherly indullgence, to divert him
from the rememberance of what was passed, and
could not be remeeded. And for his further
encouragement, then promised that he would
shortly setle his estate upon him, and provyde
him ane honourable marriage, the which as to
the first he did ; but his sone's death prevented
the accomplishment of the second. However, in
prosecutione of these affaires, the Lord Somer-
vill, with the Master, comes to Edinburgh in the
moneth of January, 1590, and enters in a con-
tract with his sone William, Master of Somervill,
dated att Edinburgh, the second day of Febru-
ary, 1590, wherin Hugh Lord Somervill faith-
fully binds and obleidges himself to infeft and
sease the said Master of Somervill, and his heirs
male lawfully begotten in all his lordship and
barronies of Carnwath, Lintoune, Englishberry,
Grainge, and all others his lands with the perti-
nents, with full power of redeemeing all wood-
setts within the said lordship. This contract was
subscryved both by the father and sone, day and
place before named, and was registrat the four-
teinth day of January, the year following, 1591.
It was this contract which eftirward brought
Gilbert, then Master of Somervill, to the estate,
much contrary to his father's inclinatione and

THE SOMERVILLS. 47^

designe, who even at that tyme had noe favour
for him, as foirseeing by the bad qualitie he ob-
served in this young gentleman, Gilbert, that he
would prove the disgrace of his familie, and the
miner of his house.

The king's majestie, with his royall consert
the queen, eftir ther marriage and some stay in
Denmarke, returnes home, arryveing att Leith
the twentieth of May, 1590, where, to congratu-
late his safe and happy arryveall, ther was a
great concourse of all rankes and qualities of
people, unto whom the king was very gracious j
and, upon his comeing from church, gave thankes
to the noblemen and counsell for the care they
had taken in administratione of affaires and men-
taineing the countrey in quyetnesse. In August
thereftir, the same year, upon the fourth day,
the Generall Assemblie conveines, wherunto the
Lord Somervill is cited for holding a market att
Carnwath upon the Sabbath. He compeares, and
alleadges ane ancient custome and priviledge,
granted to him and his predecessores by the
kings of Scotland, and confirmed by James the
Fourth and Fyfth. Notwithstanding whereof,
being threatened with the censure of the church,
he condescended that noe market should be
holden there any more on the Sabbath. Whether

47(3 JfiJBMOBIE OF

this was nnc weekly market, or one of the two
iaircs that is yearlie, I am not certane, but I in-
clyne to beleive it was a weekly one that was
abolished ; and if soe, it had continued ever
since the lands was erected in, ane barronie, neer
three hundred years.
.1391. Lord Hugh now growing old, and his affaires
in great disorder, by reasonc of the difference
betwixt him and his lady, he was therefore ear-
nest to have his sone marryed and setled before
his death. In order to this he pressed the Mas-
ter much to search eftir a match both suiteable
to his qualitie and honour, and one by whom
they might have interest and money to pay off
some burdings the estate was lying under, and
redeem these lands he had wodsett. In obedi-
ence to his father's desyre more nor his oune in-
clinatione, the Master goes, weill attended, in
the moneth of November, in suite of the laird of
Drumlandricke's ' daughter, (a rich and eminent

1 The representative of the house of Drumlanrick, ancestors
of the ducal family of Queensberry, was Sir James Douglas,
who succeeded to his father in 1578, and died in 1615- He
had two daughters, Janet, afterwards married to William Li-
vingston of Toweswood, and Helen to John Menzies of Castle-
hill. It does not appear which of these ladies was the object of
the Master of Somerville's suit.

THE SOMERVILLS. 477

barrone in the south, of great command,) where
himself and his followers was weill intertained,
and the motione kyndelie receaved both by the
young lady and her parents, who then promised
shortly to be att Edinburgh, and bring the daugh-
ter with them, where that affair should be more
fully treated by freinds of both sydes, they hoped
to the contentment of all parties. This answear
satisfying for the tyme, the Master of Somervill
haveing remained with his mistres some few
dayes att Drumlendricke, he takes leave, and re-
turned to Cowthally, and gives his father ane
accompt of his negotiatione, and what hope ther
was his proposealles would take effect, because,
for any thing he could observe, they wer thank-
fully accepted by the parents and freinds of the
young lady. His father was extremely joyfull at
this report, and promised ther should nothing be
wanting upon his part to further the match, but
that in all things he would concurre, and grant
what conditiones in reasone they should requyre.
In the moneth of January, 1591, Drumlendrick
comes to toune with his lady and daughter ; and
shortly eftir them arryves Hugh Lord Somer-
vill, William, Master of Somervill, and Hugh, his
youngest brother, a handsome youth, then about
the eighteinth year of his age, who haveing putt

47S MEMORIE OF

themselves in order, and gotten notice where"
Drumlendrick lodged, the Master went to renew
his respects to his mistres, and pay her lady mo-
ther a visite. They wer civilly intertained by
the mother, and modestly receaved by the daugh-
ter. From that tyme furth the Master continued
his courting, intirely gaineing her affectione, as
he did the favour of all her relationes without
any difficulty. And it was noe marvell, for this
young nobleman was most accomplished botli
in body and mynde. I have heard it reported,
that Sir James Bannatyne of Newhall, one of the
senatores of the colledge of justice, asserted ther
was not a propperer youth trode the streets of
Edinburgh, nor one of whom ther was greater
expectatione then of William, Master of Somer-
vill ; but when God designes to mine a familie,
all supportes are removed, that the fall may be
the more sudden, as happened in this young
nobleman's caice, who efter he was contracted
in the later end of February, and should have
been marryed in Apryle, 1 59 1 , that very moneth
he took a feaver which keeped him long, and soe
wakened his body that he never recovered, but
continued still under a languishing sicknesse for
more nor ten monthes. It was supposed the
thoughts of his oune great misfortune in killing
7

THE SOMERVILLS. 4?9

of his brother, the disagreement of his parents,
the incumberances that was upon the estate, and
the prospect he had of ane impudent brother
that was to succeed him, which he could not
now remedy in the conditione he was in, hasten-
ed his death, some ten moneths eftir his sick-
nesse. He dyed att Cowthally in the moneth of
January, 1592, about the twentieth and seventh
year of his age, and was buryed in the yle of
Carnwath. He left a naturall sone, begotten
upon a young woman in the toune of Gillmer-
toune named eftir himself, William, whose pos-
terity remaines there untill this day. Thus lived
and dyed William, the good Master of Somer-
vill ; and with him perished all the hope and ex-
pectatione of the house of Cowthally. It was
noe lesse truely then prophetically spocken in
ane homely expressione by a devote gentleman,
William Ingles of East Scheill, who was himself,
as weill as all his predecessores, great lovers and
followers of the Lord Sommervilles, imployed
by them for the most pairt as ther baillzie in the
barronie of Carnwath, — this aged gentleman, as
the corps passed the outter gate of Cowthally,
strocke upon his breast and cryed out to the
hearing of many, " This day the head is as clean
taken off the house of Cowthally, as you Would

480 MEMORIE OF

strike off the head of a sybba j" ' and indeed it
proved soe, for from that day furth all things went
crosse ; the familie was divyded against itself.
What the consequences therof would prove, the
oracle of truth hes left it upon record ; for here
the husband was against the wife in the defen-
cive, and the wife against the husband in persew-
ing for ane aliment again. The father was against
the sone, endeavouring to disinherit him ; and
the sone against the father, mentaineing the
rights now established in his persone by the
death of his elder brother ; and if this had not
been enough, and too much, yow might have
seen two brothers contending for a half-ruined
and sinking estate, both infeft therm by ther
father's resignatione, with the reservatione of his
oune liferent. A meer Babell of confusione, the
lyke hardly to be found in the memories of any
familie in Scotland, as to all the circumstances
that concurred to the undoeing of this ; soe that
the preservatione of the same would have been
somewhat of a miracle. But I proceed.
1592. Gilbert, now Master of Somervill, keepes fair
with his father for some few weekes eftir his bro-
ther's death, and prevailled soe farre by the in-

1 Cibolle. A leek.

THE SOMERVILLS. 481

tercessione of friends, that his father Lord Hugh,
confirmes, by a new obligatione in his favours,
the former contract made to his brother Wil-
liam, with this expresse conditione, that if the
submissione passed betwext him and his two
sones should take noe effect, the same obliga-
tione should be of noe force, as to any purpose
or intent whatsoever. This band of corrobora-
tione is dated att Carnwath, the twentieth and
second of March, 1592, and was that which the
father, eftirward seeking to reduce, therby to es-
tablish the wholl estate of Cowthally in the per-
sone of Hugh Somervill of Drum, then his se-
cond sone, all his other sones being now dead ;
and it was from this fountaine that flowed all the
rancor and hatred that was betwext the two bre-
thren eftirwards ; for Gilbert, rinding that he had
losed his father by his many wild prankes and
imprudent carriage, observeing withall the course
his father was takeing to secure all to his brother
Hugh, by makeing over to him the wholl right
of proppertie by charter and seazing, notwith-
standing of the two former contracts, wherupon
as yet ther had been noe inhibitione served ; but
only a base infeftment upon the fathers resigna-
tione in favoures of William Master of Somervill ;
2 it

482 MEMORIE OF

and it was upon this consideratione that both
Lord Hugh and his second sone thought to have
debarred Gilbert from the estate of Somervill ;
but it would not doe ; for Gilbert now seeing
ther was no way for him to through hisbusinesse
but by marrying with some powerfull familie that
would mentaine him in his right, he resolves to
do soe ; and knowing that he had all the name
of Somervill his enemies but the companiones
of his extravagancies, he judged it fitt to devyde
them, and secure his interest with the name soe
farre as was possible. In order to this designe,
he goes in suite of Margaret Somervill, eldest
daughter to James Somervill, the fourth Laird
of Cambusnethen, nicknamed the Laird with the
Velvet Eye, upon whom he was marryed in the
moneth of Apryle, 1592, ther being litle or no
trysting in the businesse, that familie knowing
very weill that, besydes the contracts formerly
spocken off, the right of successione was in his
persone. The consummeating of this marriage
hightened his father's displeasure exceedingly,
because of the constant and continued animosi-
ties that was betwext the house of Cowthally and
that of Cambusnethen, in regaird of these lands
they possessed in the barronie of Carnwath, and
that of Louthian latelv recovered from them.

THE SOMERVILXS. 483

However, Gilbert gained that he mainly intend-
ed, and devyded the name of Somervill; for
now one might see the one half banding against
the other, and syding as ther afFectiones and in-
terest led them. The Somervilles of Cambusne-
then being of late strongly allyed to the Hamil-
tones, by ther meanes Gilbert was not only sup-
ported in his law suites, but otherwayes in many
forcible arguments. Yet, at that tyme; albeit
even then King James the Sexth and his coun-
sell was takeing all the wayes imaginable to abo-
lish that barbarous custome which shortly eftir
took effect in the Lowlands, by the free execu-
tione of the lawes, without hazard of inforce-
ments or bloody slaughters, too frequently com-
mitted betwext disagreeing families, or such as
wer devyded amongst themselves, as here that of
Cowthally and Cambusnethen wer ; who, eftir
many mischiefes, outrages, and slaughters upon
both sydes committed, notwithstanding of all
the legall restrictiones and hazard of punishment
they might incurre by breaking of the peace,
wherunto all of them were strictly tyed by the
ordinary law borrowes, the counsells, orders, and
his majesties expresse command, yet did they
not forbear ther quarrellings untill both parties
was allmost ruined, and then they hearkened to

484 MEMORIE OF

a submissione, which appeares to be of the same
date with the contract of corroboration, granted
in favoures of Gilbert, Master of Somervill, or
else there is ane mistake in the transumpt that I
have seen ; for the submissione beares date att
Carnwath, the twentieth and second of March,
1592, and the contract was of the same date.
The submissione was ane year thereftir, accept-
ed by the gentlemens subscryveing att Carnwath,
the twentieth and sexth of March, 1593; the de-
creit arbitrall upon this submissione being pro-
nunced att Edinburgh, the nyneteinth day of
Apryle, 1593, and registrat the fourteinth day
of June the same year. And now, because this
submissione, and the decreit pronunced ther-
upon, nott only widned the difference amongst
the parties, but had contrary effects as to the
main designe for which it was intended, there-
fore I conceave it not amisse to insert both in
this relatione, for the satisfaction of some gen-
tlemen of the name, in whose hands these nar-
rationes may come, that cannot have a sight of
the principall ; the tenor of both followes con-
forme to the registrat extract.
1593. Att Edinburgh, the nyneteinth day of Apryle,
the year of God 1593, Wee, Alexander Somer-
vill of Plain, and James Somervill of Humbic,

THE SOMERVILLS. 485

elder, James Somervill, younger of Humbie, and
William Somervill in Blackpool, judges, arbitra-
tors, and amicable composers, equally and com-
monly choysen by the honourable persons fol-
lowing, viz. Ane noble and potent lord, Hugh
Lord Somervill, on the ane part, and Gilbert
Master of Somervill, brother and heir of umqu-
hile William Master of Somervill, with advyce
and consent of Master Alexander Seatoune, Lord
Urquhard, one of the senatores of the colledge of
justice, Sir John Seatoune, of Barnes, knight, Sir
John Carmichael of that ilk, knight, Sir James
Lindsay of Pittardie, knight, and James Somer-
vill, brother germane to the said Hugh Lord
Somervill, on the second part, and Hugh Somer-
vill, brother germane to the said Gilbert Master
of Somervill, with advyce and consent of the said
Hugh Lord Somervill his father, Robert Lord
Seatoune, John Lord Thirlestaine, chanceller
of this realme, and John Cockburne of Clerking-
toune, to whom the said Hugh was interdyted,
on the third part ; submitting themselves to us
ther said judges, by vertue of ane submissione,
upon the back of ane blanke, anent certane ac-
tiones debeatable amongst the saids parties,
touching the right and title acclamed be the said
Hugh Somervill to the lands and liveing of Cow-

486 MEMORIE OF

thally, and what compositione and satisfactione
should be given to the said "Hugh Somervill for
his renunceing and overgiveing in favoures of
the said Gilbert Master of Somervill, and his
heirs male, of all right, title, interest, elame of
right, actione, and instance qlk the said Hugh
hes or otherwayes may have or clame, either be
infeftment or otherwayes, to the lands, lordship,
and barronies of Carnwath, Lintoune, Inglish-
berry Grainge, the Eyslat, the ten pund land
in Stonefranck, tackes of lands, donation es of
kirkes and benefices, with certane other actione
specified in the said submissione, referred be the
saids parties to us the saids judges to decyde and
decerne therintill, and that for the weill standing
of the house and liveing of Cowthally to the pos-
teritie to come, excepting and reserveing the
lands of Louthian, with the reversiones of the
samen to the said Hugh Lord Somervill ; and
wee the saids judges being often conveened, by
vertue of the said submissione, and our accepta-
tione therof, and foirseeing the weill and stand-
ing of the said house and liveing of Cowthally to
the posterities to come ; and eftir good delibe-
ration and advysement taken be us theranent,
and the rights, reasones, and alleadgeances of all
the said parties, and clames given in be them to

THE SOMERVILLS. 48*7

us therupon being heard, seen, and considered
be us, and wee at lenth therewith rightly advy-
sed ; haveing God and a good conscience before
our eyes, and for intertaineing of amity amongst
the saids parties, being soe tender of blood, in
all tyme comeing ; wee all, in one voyce, with-
out varyance, with advyce and consent of all the
saids parties, decernes and ordaines as followes ;
in the first wee decerne and ordaine the said Gil-
bert Master of Somervill to infeft, with advyce
and consent of the said Hugh Lord Somervill
his father, the said Hugh Somervill his brother
above-named in life-rent, for all the dayes of his
life-tyme, in all and haill ane anwellrent of fyve
hundereth markes usuall money of this realme,
to be taken up yearly, at two termes in the year,
Whitsunday and Mertines, in winter, be equall
portiones, furth of all and haill the lands of Lam-
pels, the lands Woolfuirds, and the lands of
Greenaltoune, and every part of the saids lands,
with partes and pendicles thereofj lying within
the barronie of Carnwath and shirrefdome of La-
nerk ; to be holden of the said Gilbert Master
of Somervill, and his heirs male in free blench,
for the payment of ane penny at Whitsunday,
upon the ground of the lands, gif it be asked al-
lennerlv, with sufficient warrandice to be con-

488 MEMOIIIE OF

tained therin as effeires, dureing the said Hugh
Somervill his life tvme allennerly ; and further,
wee decerne and ordaine the said Gilbert Mas-
ter of Somervill, his heirs and assignayes, to con-
tent and pay to the heirs male, laufully to be
procreat of the said Hugh Somervill, eftir his
decease, and the decease of the said Hugh Lord
Somervill his father, the soume of two thousand
merkes Scots money, and that in full satisfac-
tione and contentatione of all and haill the right,
title, and interest, the said Hugh Somervill may
aske, clame, or crave, either be infeftments,
tackes, contractes, or otherwayes, in and to the
saids lands, and lordship, and barronies of Carn-
wath, Lintoune, Inglishberry Grange, Eyslat,
the ten pund land in Strafrouk, tackes of teynds,
assignationes of reversiones, advocationes and
donationes of kirkes and benefices of the samen ;
for the quhilkes causes and compositione for-
said, wee decerne and ordaine the said Hugh
Somervill to renunce and overgive in favoures
of the said Gilbert Master of Somervill, and his
heirs male, all right, title, interest, clame of right,
and instance, quhilkes the said Hugh Somervill
hes or any wayes may clame or have be infeft-
ments, contracts, or otherwayes, in and to the
saids lands, lordships, barronies, tackes of teyndes,

THE SOMERVILLS. 489

donationes of kirkes, and benefices above writ-
ten, or any part therof, and to make sicke secu-
rities to the said Gilbert Master of Somervill, and
his heirs male, of the samen, as law will appoynt,
and as can be devysed be the advyce and judge-
ment of men of law ; allwayes but hurt and pre-
judice of the said Hugh Lord Somervill his life-
rent right therof, specially reserved in the said
submissione j and likewayes wee decern e and
ordaine the saids Hugh Lord Somervill, and Gil-
bert Master of Somervill, for intertaineing of
unity betwext them, and standing of the house
and liveing of Cowthally, to observe, keep, and
fullfill to others, but process of law, the contract
made betwext the said Lord Somervill and um-
quhile William Master of Somervill, now trans-
ferred in the persone of the said Gilbert Master
of Somervill, quilk contract is of the date att
Edinburgh, the second day of February, 1590,
acted and registrat in the bookes of counsel!, and
decerned to have the strenth of ane decreit of
the lords therof, upon the fourteinth day of Ja-
nuary, the year of God I5gi ; and another con-
tract made betwext the said Hugh Lord Somer-
vill on the ane part, and the said Gilbert Master
of Somervill on the other part, of the date att

490 MEMORIE OF

Carnwath, the twentieth and second day of
March, anno 1592, in all and sundry poyntes,
clauses, and conditiones thereof, contained in
the saids two contracts, except in soe farre as
the second contract derogates the first ; and in
speciall, wee decerne and ordaine the said Hugh
Lord Somervill to infeft the said Gilbert Master
of Somervill, and his heirs male, in all and haili
his auld heretage of the lordship of Somervill ef-
tir specified, viz. In all and haill the lands, lord-
ship, and barronie of Carnwath, lying within the
shirrcfdome of Lanerk, and in all and haill the
lands and barronie of Lintoune, lying within the
shirrefclome of Roxburgh, with castles, toures,
fortalices, orchyairds, yairds, myllnes, annexes,
connexes, parts, pendicles, outsettes, tennentes,
and tennandries, service of free tennentes, advo-
cationes, donationes, and right of patronage of
kirkes and chaplanries of the samen, and all ther
pertinents, to be holden off our soveraigne lord
and his successores, in fie and heretage, sicklyke
and as freely, and in the same manner as the
said lord and his predecessores, haves and holdes
the samen of before ; and sicklyke in all and
haill the eight pund land of auld extent of Ing-
lishberry and Grange, quilke the said Lord So-

THE SOMERVILLS. 491

mervill hes in few and heretage, holden of the
commendator of Dryburgh and his successores,
lying within the said shirrefdome of Lanerk ;
and in four oxengate of land of Libbertoune,
holden of the parsone of Libbertoune and his
successores, to be holden of the immediat supe-
rior therof as freelie and in the same manner as
the said Lord Somervill haves and holdes the
samen of before, be resignatione or confirmatione
or otherwayes, in the best and most sure maner
can be devysed upon be the said Gilbert, Master
of Somervill, his expences, bearing reservatione
of the said Lord Somerville's liferent of the same,
in lands, lordship, barronies and others forsaids,
and that betwext the date heirof, and the twen-
tieth and fourth day of January next to come, in
this instant year of God 1593, conforme to the
tenor of, and obligatione made be, the said Lord
Somervill to the said Gilbert, Master of Somer-
vill, of the date att Carnweth, the twentieth and
second day of March, 1593 years, to that effect j
and sicklyke, wee decerne and ordaine the said
Hugh Lord Somervill to make and constitut the
said Gilbert, Master of Somervill, and his heirs
male, his cessioners and assignayes, in and to
whatsomever reversiones, bands and promises of
reyersiones made and granted to the said Hugh

492 MEMOIUE OF

Lord Somervill, or his predecessores, for redemp-
tione of whatsomever of any of the forsaids lands,
millnes, and others above written, or any part
thereof or anwellrents furth of the samen, in sick
sure manner as the said Master of Somervill
shall devyse, and that betwext and the said twen-
tieth and fourth of June next to come as said is ;
and decernes the said Lord Somervill to delyver
the authentick coppies of the saids reversiones
to the said Gilbert, Master of Somervill, and to
make the same principall reversiones furthcome-
ing to him and his heirs male, at what tyme they
please cause lawfull redemptione, be vertue ther-
of, but any excuse or delay ; and further forsua-
meickle as be the said submissione it is referred
to us the said judges to take good order anent
the relehT of the anwellrents aughtand and al-
lotted furth of the saids lands and others above
written, as weill of years bygaine unpayed, as
in tyme coming dureing the not redemptione
therof ; wee, aftir good deliberatione, had ther-
intill, with consent of all the saids parties, sub-
mitters, decernes, and ordains the saids Lord and
Master of Somervill to suffer the profltes, com-
modities, and casualties of the teyndes and
kirkes of Carnwath, Libbertoune, and Quath-
quan, as weill personage as viccarage of the

THE SOMERVILLS. 493

samen kirkes, swa farre as pertaines therof to
the said Hugh Lord Somervill yearly, to be up-
lifted and intrometted with be Robert Denhame
of West Scheilles, William Somervill of Glad-
stanes, and William Somervill in the Pooll, con-
junctly, of ther oune free will, be themselves,
ther servants, substituts, and others in ther
names, whom for they shall answear, sell, and
dispone therupon yearly to the outter availl ; and
therewith to releave and pay yearly the said
anwellrents, flirth of the saids lands and others
forsaids to them haveand right therto, as shall
be given to them in inventar ; and the saids per-
sones intromitters forsaids to be comptable year-
ly to the said Hugh Lord Somervill, and Gilbert
Master of Somervill, therfbre ; and in caice ther
remaine any mair in ther hands nor satisfies the
saids anwellrents, wee decerne the superplus
therof to be taken and delyvered for payment of
the by rune anwellrents, aughtand furth of the
saids lands, and that yearly, ay and whill the
said haill bygaine anwellrents be satisfied and
payed ; and eftir the satisfactione therof, the
superplus yearly to be payed to the said Lord
Somervill ; and in caice the forsaid kirkes and
teyndes, swa farre therof as pertaines to the said
lord, will not satisfie the yearly anwellrents and

494 3JEM0RIE OF

byrunes therof, we decerne and ordaine the said
Lord Somervill, off the readyest of his liveing to
suffer the forsaids persones to intromett with as
meikle therof as will fuMll and compleatly pay
the samen anwellrents ; and for better performe-
ing of the premisses, we decerne and ordaine
the said lord to make his tackes and other rights
and securities that he lies to the saids kirkes and
teynds furthcomeing to the forsaids persones, to
the effect that they may raise inhibitiones ther-
upon, and better to lett the forsaids teynds and
duties of the samen kirkes, baith personage and
viccarage therof, for performeing of the pre-
mises 5 and this our decreit arbitrall to all and
sundry whom it effeiresy wee make knoune be
thir presents, and for the mair securitie, wee
decerne the samen decreit and submissione to
be registrat in the bookes of counsell, and have
the strenth of ane decreit of the lords interponed
therto ; and that horning be direct upon ane
simple charge of sex dayes allennerly ; and for
the registrating therof constitutes our undoubt-
ed procuratores.

Subscryved be us, day* year, and place for-
said, before thir witnesses, Master Alexander
King, advocat, John Dicksone, his servant, and
James Borthuick, wrytter; sic subscribitur.

THE SOMERVILL S. 495

Hugh Lord Somervill, Gilbert, Master of So-
mervill, Hugh Somervill his brother, Alexander
Somervill of Plaine, James Somervill of Humbie,
James Somervill younger his sone, William So-
mervill in the Pooll, with my hand at the pen,
led be the nottar under written, Ita est Jacobus
Borthwick, notarius publicus, in premissis requi-
situs testantibus his meis signo et subscriptione
manualibus, Alexander Seatoune Lord Urchard,
Sir John Seatoune of Barnes, Sir John Carmi-
chaell of Carmichaell, Sir James Lindsay, James
Somervill, Robert Lord Seatoune, John Lord
Thirlestaine, John Cockfaurne of Clerkingtoune.
The decreit arbitrall being conceaved in the
termes above rehearsed, displeased exceedingly
the Lord Somervill and his sone Hugh, who de-
clared the same by protesting against ther pro-
cedure, takeing instruments, they had gone be-
yond what was submitted to them ; therefore
they protested againe for remedie in law. Much
about this tyme, and dureing the continuance of
thes unnaturall and unchristiane differences hi
the house of Cowthally, dyed James Somervill,
third Barrone of Cambusnethen, nicknamed the
Laird with the Plaides, a gentleman much short
of his father and grand-father for actione, either
in civill or militarie performances, however for-

496 MJSMORIE OF

tunate in the mannadgement of his privat for-
tune and estate, and the marriage of his children,
especially his daughters of the second marriage,
whom he bestowed honourably, the eldest being
marry ed upon Sir John Skeine of Currie-hill,
clerk register, the second upon the Laird of
Dunlap, the third upon the Laird of Milltoune,
of the sirname of Whytefoord, the fourth upon
the Lord Blantyre Stewart. For the sones of
this marriage they wer four, John, Goodman" of

1 Good-man came about the seventeenth century to be ap-
plied only to farmers, every landed proprietor assuming the
title of Laird, which, at an earlier period, was only applied to
barons and great vassals of the crown, under the rank of no-
blemen.

When I was born at Middleyard weight,
There was no word of lord or knight :
The greatest styles of honour then
Was to be titled the good-man.
But changing time hath changed the case,
And puts a laird in th' goodman's place.
For why ? my gossip good-man John,
And honest James whom I think on,
When we did meet whiles at the hawking,
We used no cringes but hand shaking,
No bowing, should'ring, gambo-scraping,
No French whistling or Dutch gaping,
We had no garments in our land
But what were spun by th' goodwife's hand.

The Speech of a Fife Laird, apud Watson's Col-
lection of Scots Poems, Edin. 1706, I. 28.

THE SOMERVILLS. 497

Petherholl, Patrick designed of Green, William,
and Thomas the youngest, who in his travelles
turneing Roman catholicke, became a church-
man, and admitted to orders, was at lenth Car-
dinall of Padua in Italie. For this gentleman's
children of the first marriage they wer only three,
James, who succeeded to the estate, and Robert,
designed Hatton Robert, off whom we will have
occasione to discourse more eftirward, in the
memorie of Gilbert Master of Somervill, to whom
he became a grand tutor, as being his ladye's
uncle. For the daughter of this marriage, she
was marryed upon Nether Hellies, a fewar or
rentaller of the Lord Hamiltones, the gentle-
man himself being of the same name. Haveing
given this account of the house of Cambusne-
then, I returne to that of Cowthalleys.

END OF VOLUME I.

Edinburgh :
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